Category 3

Cyclone Judy strengthens to category 3 with destructive winds

RNZ Pacific reports the category three cyclone is bearing down on Vanuatu's northern provinces, moving in a southerly direction.

In its latest cyclone warning the Vanuatu Metservice said destructive hurricane-force winds of 150km/h gusting to 200km/h will affect the central and southern islands.

Air Vanuatu cancelled all domestic and international flights yesterday and today, with flights expected to resume on Thursday.

Banks closed their doors early Wednesday afternoon and sent staff home.

Boarding schools in the capital have also sent students home.

Flood-hit Aucklanders prepare for Cyclone Gabrielle

RNZ reports Cyclone Gabrielle is likely to hit Northland on Sunday before heading towards Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula - which could both get a month's worth of rain in a day.

Auckland's state of emergency has been extended ahead of the forecast extreme weather.

TC Lucas strengthens to category 3 system southwest of Vanuatu

The cyclone was located at about 375km southwest of Malekula at 5am (local time).

Winds close to the centre of the system are estimated at 110km/hr.

Damaging gale force winds of 75km/hr gusting up to 105km/hr within 30 nautical miles from its centre.

Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are expected over low lying areas and areas close to river banks including flooding over the group.

TC Lucas is moving to the southwest of Vanuatu towards New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands.

 

Photo Fiji Met 

     

Category 3 Cyclone Rita further strengthens

At 5am (local time), Severe Tropical Cyclone Rita located about 270km east of Sola and 270km northeast of Maewo in Vanuatu.

The cyclone has moved in a south southwesterly direction at a speed of 15km/hr (8knots).

The National Disaster Management Office in Port Vila has issued a Red Alert for Torba and a Yellow Alert for Penama and Sanma provinces.

People have been advised not to go out on the water as very rough to phenomenal seas are expected over northern waters.

Fiji prepares for Cat 3 cyclone

Cyclone Keni is Category 3 storm and is expected to be closest to the islands from midday today.

The Fiji weather office is expecting Keni to pass south of Nadi before making landfall over the southern island of Kadavu.

People are being told to expect destructive winds of up to 170 kilometres an hour.

The government says they need to prepare a three day family disaster kit, strengthen their homes, be ready for power cuts and evacuate if need be.

It's the second cyclone to hit Fiji in just over a week after Cyclone Josie left six people dead over Easter.

Curfew issued in Vanuatu as cyclone Donna batters Torba

The latest cyclone warning issued by the Vanuatu Meteorological Service at 5:00am this morning says Donna is generating sustained wind speeds of 130 kilometres an hour at its centre with gusts reaching up to 190 kilometres an hour.

The system was moving in a westerly direction at about 16km/hr and threatening to make landfall in the Torres Island group.

Vanuatu battered by destructive winds as Donna strengthens

Authorities say destructive winds and very rough to phenomenal seas with heavy swells will affect Torba and Sanma.

Cyclone Donna was forecast to make landfall overnight in Torba and Penama provinces.

At 2am local time, Donna was about 80 kilometres north notheast of Torres and 155 kilometres north northwest of Vanua Lava.

The system was moving in a west southwest direction at 18 kilometres.

Meanwhile, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre in Hawaii, global forecast data suggests the system was likely to undergo a period of rapid intensification.

Amos expected to ramp up to Cat 3 storm overnight

RNZI reports it is currently a category two system and about 200 kilometres west-northwest of Wallis Island.

The cyclone is moving in an easterly direction at nine kilometres an hour and is intensifying.

On its current track, the cyclone is expected to pass just south of Samoa overnight Saturday.

Cyclone Winston predicted to hit Fiji's southern Lau group

In the first week of January Cyclone Ula crossed the Lau group causing minor damage.

The Director of Meteorology said Cyclone Winston, lying to the south, was expected to turn towards Fiji waters after initially tracking southeast away from Vanuatu.