The Nadi Weather Office has confirmed that a Tropical Cyclone has formed to the north of Rotuma.
Nadi Weather Office Senior Forecaster, Amit Singh has confirmed this to Fijivillage saying Cyclone Mona is located about 130km north north-east of Rotuma and about 710km north of Nadi.
Tropical Cyclone Mona is currently a Category 1 Cyclone and is moving southwards at about 20km per hour.
Close to its center, the cyclone has winds up to 65km per hour gusting to 90km per hour.
Singh says as the cyclone moves southwards, it is expected to become slow moving and later track south-south east and there is a possibility for the system to become a Category Two Tropical Cyclone in the next 24 to 36 hours.
TC Mona Threat Track Map as at 4.20pm 3rd-Jan-2019 [Photo: met.gov.fj]
According to Singh, there is a lot of uncertainty associated with the track of Cyclone Mona but according to their available data, the cyclone is expected to pass over Vanua Levu on Sunday.
He says effects of Tropical Cyclone Mona are expected to be felt in the Northern Division from Saturday night into early Sunday.
Singh says there is also a chance that Tropical Cyclone Mona may track south south-west and come towards Viti Levu, however this will be confirmed later.
Singh says their forecast is Cyclone Mona will enter the Fiji Group as a category two cyclone with winds up to 95km per hour gusting to 130km per hour.
He says major concern with this weather system is river flooding as there will be heavy rain throughout Fiji.
Damaging gale force winds are expected over Rotuma in the next 12 to 18 hours and over Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group in the next 24 to 48 hours.
A gale force warning has been issued for Rotuma while a Tropical Cyclone alert is in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group.
A strong wind warning remains in force for all land areas of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa Group and Northern Viti Levu from Rakiraki to Tailevu North.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller Islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group and the eastern half of Viti Levu which includes the Central Division.
Occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms are expected over the eastern half of Viti Levu, Lau and Lomaiviti Group and rain is expected to become frequent today.
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