Low pressure system to the far north of Fiji upgraded to a Tropical Disturbance

The low pressure system that was analysed to the far north of Fiji has been upgraded to a Tropical Disturbance.

The Nadi Weather Office says the tropical disturbance is expected to gradually intensify and upgrade into a depression within the next 12 to 24 hours and has high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 to 72 hours.

The disturbance remains slow moving to the north of Rotuma and is expected to move south towards Fiji in the next two days and bring heavy rain and strong winds.

They say the system is forecast to track just to the west of Yasawa and Mamanuca Group before turning and moving southeastwards tracking south of Kadavu then towards southern part of Lau Group.

Director of Meteorology, Misaeli Funaki says at the moment, the main areas of concern for them are the western parts of Viti Levu which is from Sigatoka to Rakiraki, northern parts of the Northern Division, Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Kadavu and Southern Lau.

Funaki adds that the system is anticipated to leave Fiji waters by Sunday.

The weather office says however, due to the erratic behaviour tropical cyclones exhibit in our region, there can be uncertainties in the track.

The Fiji Meteorological Services say they will continue to monitor the situation closely and any alert and warning will be issued as and when necessary in the coming days.