Big ‘Cyclone’ Threat
A “tropical disturbance”, west of Fiji, could develop into a cyclone tomorrow, says Na Draki Weather.
It said the cyclone would increase in intensity to peak at Category 4 or 5 (most powerful) by the end of this week.
Forecaster and OZ Cyclone Chaser’s Chris Nitsopoulos, who labels the cyclone the “Fijian Beast” or “Vanuatu Monster” before it’s even formed, said: “It’s going to be a very intense tropical cyclone, possibly the most intense of the southern hemisphere this season.
“Once it does start to consolidate, oh my goodness – it’s going to be a biggy,” he said.
Recent forecasts indicate this system, sitting north of Vanuatu, would move southwest initially and then southwards close to Vanuatu, west of Fiji.
However, Na Draki Weather said “Fiji could be more directly affected should the system take a more south or south easterly course.”
Heavy rain and flooding could hit Fiji on Wednesday and Thursday if an anticipated cyclone passes west of the country.
Fiji Meteorological Services acting director Aminiasi Tuidraki said yesterday: “Global models are slowly developing the Tropical disturbance and will eventually move it south from tomorrow towards the Vanuatu Group and potential for the system to develop into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours is low to moderate but maybe pick up from tomorrow (today) for the potential to be high.”
Mr Tuidraki said the amount of sunshine during this time of the year contributes to the heating we have around.
“With some high temperatures recorded around the country and with the sea temperature in our ocean been very warm over 30 degrees with a moist east to northeast wind flow blowing over the country making it to be very humid this all contributes to the heat we are experiencing and it is going to take along spell of rain over the country in order to cool the atmosphere,” he said.
He said the Nadi weather office is closely monitoring the tropical disturbance and its associated weather and will update the Nation accordingly of any threat.
| TROPICAL CYCLONE CATEGORY SYSTEM |
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| According to the Australian Government Bureau of Meterology:CATEGORY 1 (tropical cyclone) Negligible house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans. Craft may drag moorings. A Category 1 cyclone’s strongest winds are GALES with typical gusts over open flat land of 90 – 125 km/h. These winds correspond to Beaufort 8 and 9 (Gales and strong gales). CATEGORY 2 (tropical cyclone) CATEGORY 3 (severe tropical cyclone) CATEGORY 4 (severe tropical cyclone) CATEGORY 5 (severe tropical cyclone) |
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