weather update

SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN NUMBER FIFTEEN ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION TD03F ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI AT 3:53PM ON TUESDAY THE 1ST OF JANUARY 2019

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR NORTHERN LAU GROUP.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR EASTERN VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, LOMAIVITI GROUP.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION TD03F CENTRE 994HPA WAS LOCATED NEAR 15 DECIMAL 7 SOUTH 179 DECIMAL 4 WEST OR ABOUT 80 KM NORTHEAST OF UDU POINT AND ABOUT 160 KM EAST-NORTHEAST OF LABASA AT 4PM YESTERDAY. CLOSE TO THE CENTRE, THE 10 MINUTE AVERAGE WINDS IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 55KM/HR. TD03F IS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT

ABOUT 22KM/HR AWAY FROM FIJI.

ON THE PROJECTED PATH, TD03F CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO BE LOCATED ABOUT 180 KM NORTHNORTHEAST OF LAKEBA OR ABOUT 320 KM EAST-SOUTHEAST OF UDU POINT AT 4AM TODAY AND ABOUT 420 KM EAST-SOUTHEAST OF LAKEBA AT 4PM TODAY.

FOR NORTHERN LAU GROUP:

STRONG TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE WITH SPEEDS OF 55 TO 65KM/HR AND MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 90KM/HR. PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES AND FEW THUNDERSTORMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS LIKELY.

FOR EASTERN VANUA LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP AND SOUTHERN LAU GROUP:

FRESH TO STRONG SOUTHEAST WINDS WITH SPEEDS OF 45 TO 55KM/HR AND MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 80KM/HR. OCCASIONAL SHOWERS. ISOLATED HEAVY FALLS AND THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI:

MODERATE TO FRESH SOUTHEAST WINDS, GUSTY AT TIMES. OCCASIONAL SHOWERS WITH ISOLATED HEAVY FALLS OVER EASTERN VITI LEVU. FINE APART FROM ISOLATED BRIEF SHOWERS ELSEWHERE.