Tropical Cyclone Hola was located just east of Ambrym a short time ago [5am Vanuatu time] and is moving west-southwest over Ambrym and Malakula over the next 12 hours.
It is expected to strengthen throughout the day.
At its centre the cyclone will have winds of up to 95 kilometres an hour but increasing to 120 kilometres an hour by tomorrow morning.
Hola is expected to bring gale to storm force winds, high waves, and heavy rain to the northern islands.
