MEDIA RELEASE No.2 st 4pm Thursday 31 December 2015 TROPICAL CYCLONE ULA AND TROPICAL DEPRESSION 07F At 1pm today, Tropical Cyclone Ula was located near 15.4 degrees South 167.8 degrees West or about 460km east-southeast of Apia and moving towards the southwest at 10 knots. Over the last 6 hours, TC Ula has slowly intensified and has developed into a Category 2 system with 50 knots winds expected close to its centre. It is expected to maintain a southwest track for the next 24 to 48 hours. On this projected path, it is expected to lie about 360km east- northeast of Vavau (Tonga) at 1pm tomorrow and about 180km northwest of Vavau at 1pm on Saturday. Tropical Depression (TD07F) was located near 14.9 degrees South latitude and 178.8 degrees East longitude or about 350km north-northeast of Nadi at 1pm today. It has a central pressure of 995hPa and accelerating as it is moving towards the southeast. On this projected path it is expected to pass to close to Fiji tomorrow. The system has low to moderate potential to develop into a tropical cyclone in next 24 to 48 hours. For Region: Strong wind warning remains in force for Tuvalu, Tokelau and Kiribati, Cook Islands and Niue. For Fiji: A HEAVY RAIN ALERT IS NOW IN FORCE FOR VANUALEVU, YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUP. Even though the global models together with the forecast track of Tropical Cyclone Ula indicates that it is approaching Fiji from the east, it is expected weaken to as it moves closer to the group. Nonetheless, the associated active rain bands are expected to bring heavy rain over the country with possibly strong and gusty northwest winds. Therefore, occasional rain, heavy at times is expected over most places. Isolated thunderstorms are likely. Moderate east to northeast winds, fresh and gusty at times. Localised heavy rain may lead to flash flooding. For Rotuma: A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR LAND AND WATERS OF ROTUMA. Over Land: Strong northerly winds with average speed of 50 km/hr and gusts to 65km/hr. Over Waters: Strong northerly winds 25 to 30 knots, gusting to 40 knots. Rough to very rough seas. Periods of rain, heavy at times and few squally thunderstorms. For Mariners: East to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. Winds becoming strong with speeds of 20 to 25 knots from tomorrow. Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Moderate to rough seas. Fig 1: Tropical Cyclone Ula Forecast Track Map issued from RSMC Nadi at 1pm on Thursday 31st December 2015. Fig 2: Mean Sea-Level Pressure chart issued from RSMC Nadi at 7am on Thursday 31st December 2015. TC Ula TD07 F Fig 3: Colourised Infrared satellite imagery at 2pm on Thursday 31st December 2015. -The white star indicates the supposed low level circulation centre. -The darker green is indicative of areas of heavy rainfall in a rainband. Fig 4: Latest radar image at 2.20pm indicating the rainbands approaching Fiji from the West. It is advisable that people are to remain prepared at all times and keep updated with the latest weather bulletins. For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, www.met.gov.fj ENDS. R KUMAR Director of Meteorology for Permanent Secretary Infrastructure & Transport .