A strong wind warning remains in force across Tonga as Tropical Cyclone Wati intensifies into a Category 2 system in the South Pacific, although meteorologists say the cyclone itself is not expected to threaten the Kingdom.
The Tonga Meteorological Service has attributed the strong winds to a high-pressure system southwest of the country, while Wati was last reported more than 1,100 kilometres east of Tonga’s northernmost islands.
In its 7pm bulletin on Sunday, October 18, the Matatoa Weather Forecasting Centre forecast moderate to fresh southerly and southeasterly winds, becoming strong at times, across the country.
For the Niuas, Vavaʻu and Haʻapai, mainly fine conditions with possible brief showers were expected through Monday night.
Tongatapu and ʻEua were forecast to experience similar weather, with cooler temperatures overnight.
The outlook for Tuesday indicated continuing southeasterly winds, strong at times, accompanied by cloudy periods and isolated showers.
Temperatures in Nukuʻalofa were forecast to reach 26°C on Monday, with an overnight minimum of 16°C.
Cyclone Wati Intensifies Offshore
In a separate advisory issued at 11am on Sunday, the Meteorological Service reported that Wati had reached Category 2 intensity at approximately 1am.
The cyclone was located near latitude 14.7 degrees south and longitude 163.0 degrees west, approximately 1,165 kilometres east of Niuatoputapu, 1,250 kilometres east-northeast of Neiafu in Vavaʻu, 1,330 kilometres east-northeast of Lifuka in Haʻapai and 1,475 kilometres east-northeast of Nukuʻalofa.
“Based on its current track, the system is not expected to pose any threat to Tonga,” the advisory said.
Category 2 tropical cyclones have maximum sustained winds of 89–117 kilometres per hour under the Australian and South Pacific tropical cyclone intensity scale.
While Tropical Cyclone Wati is not expected to threaten Tonga or New Zealand, authorities in the Cook Islands have activated emergency preparations as the Category 2 system approaches parts of the island group, bringing the risk of destructive winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous seas.
The next cyclone advisory was scheduled for 11am on Monday, October 19.