ISSUED FROM THE FUA’AMOTU TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING CENTRE AT 02:00PM SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2021
TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT FOR TONGA
WARNINGS:
A STORM ALERT REMAINS IN FORCE FOR TELE-KI-TONGA AND TELE-KI-TOKELAU COASTAL WATERS.
‘A GALE ALERT REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE ISLANDS GROUPS OF HAAPAI, TONGATAPU AND EUA.
A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ALL OF TONGA LAND AREAS AND COASTAL WATERS.
A HEAVY DAMAGING SWELL AND SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ALL OF TONGA COASTAL WATERS.
A HEAVY RAIN WARNING AND FLASH FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ALL OF TONGA LAND AREAS.
SITUATION:
Tropical Cyclone ANA (Category 2) was located at latitude 18.2 South and longitude 178.5 East or about 695KM West-Southwest of Niuafo’ou, 735KM West Northwest of Nuku’alofa, 770km West Northwest of Pangai Ha’apai and ‘Eua, 795KM West of Neiafu Vava’u, 860KM West Southwest of Niuatoputapu at 1:00pm this afternoon. Tropical Cyclone Ana (Cat 2) is moving South Southeast at about 9 knots (18km/hr). The maximum winds near its center is about 50 knots (100km/hr) with momentary gust of up to 70 knots (140km/hr) at times. On its current track, it could bring a storm force wind to Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau and damaging gale force winds to Haapai, Tongatapu and Eua groups by late Monday or early Tuesday. Associated strong winds, cloudy conditions with periods of heavy rain and thunderstorm continues to affect Tonga.
FOR THE NIUAS, VAVA’U, HA’APAI, TONGATAPU AND ‘EUA:
North to Northeast winds 15-20 knots (30-40 km/hr), rising up to 25-30 knots (50 – 60km/hr) at times.
Cloudy and overcast at times with developing occasional rain, heavy at times that will cause flash flood in low lying areas.
Rough to very rough seas (up to 4 meters). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4 meters). Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain.
FOR TELE-KI-TONGA AND TELE-KI-TOKELAU COASTAL WATERS:
East to Southeast winds 20-25 knots (40-50 km/hr) with momentary gusts up to 30-40 knots (60/80km/hr) at times. Rough to very rough seas (up to 4-6 meters). A heavy damaging Northwesterly swell (up to 4-6 meters).
TIDE PREDICTION FOR NUKU’ALOFA
LOW TIDE : 03:30PM
HIGH TIDE : 09:40PM
THE MEAN SEA LEVEL PRESSURE RECORDED AT FUA’AMOTU AIRPORT AT 02:00PM WAS 1006.6 MILLIBARS AND THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY WAS 80%. THE NEXT TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVISORY ON TROPICAL CYCLONE ANA (CATEGORY 2) FOR TONGA WILL BE ISSUED ABOUT 08:00PM THIS EVENING.
FCD: TTK/VF/VV/NH/FH/STP/=
CRS: FV/TT/=