Tropical Cyclone Mona has weakened and downgraded to a category 1 system at 11am today. The cyclone is currently moving eastwards and should track southeast towards Fiji in the next 9 to 12 hours.

Tropical cyclone Mona centre was located near 13.1 degrees’ south latitude and 176.2 degrees’ east longitude or about 380km north-northwest of Yasawa-i-Rara or about 460km northwest of Labasa at 1pm today. TC Mona is moving east-northeast at about 10km/hr.

Tropical cyclone Mona has continued to intensify and was upgraded into a category 2 tropical cyclone at 10am today. TC Mona remains to the northwest of the Group and has gradually picked up speed in the last 24 hours.

The cyclone is expected to move towards the south-southwest till this evening, turn and move east-southeast towards the Fiji Group from tonight.

TROPICAL CYCLONE THREAT TRACK MAP

For the 24 hr and 48 hr positions, the three radii represent the extent of Hurricane, Storm and Gale winds away from the centre.

Name: Tropical Cyclone MONA

Situation At: 0000 UTC Friday 4 January 2019

Location: 14.7S, 177.3E

Recent Movement: SW at 3 km/h

Fiji time is UTC +12 hours.

For example, 0000 UTC Saturday is 1200 Saturday Fiji time.

For example, 1800 UTC Saturday is 0600 Sunday Fiji time.

TROPICAL CYCLONE THREAT TRACK MAP

For the 24 hr and 48 hr positions, the three radii represent the extent of Hurricane, Storm and Gale winds away from the centre.

Name: Tropical Cyclone MONA

Situation At: 0000 UTC Thursday 3 January 2019

Location: 11.5S, 177.9E

Recent Movement: SSE at 21 km/h

Fiji time is UTC +12 hours.

For example, 0000 UTC Saturday is 1200 Saturday Fiji time.

For example, 1800 UTC Saturday is 0600 Sunday Fiji time.

An active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain is moving towards the Fiji Group from the north. The trough is expected to bring heavy rainfall as it moves closer towards the Group.

Meanwhile, there are two tropical depressions and one tropical disturbance currently analysed in the area of responsibility of Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) Nadi.