Cyclone Yasa

Cyclone Yasa is now a category 5 storm, the highest possible level, and there is a growing likelihood it will pass directly over Fiji's two main islands late Thursday or early Friday.

The storm is packing average winds of around 200 km/h with gusts up to 280 km/h.

Stephen Meke, a lead forecaster at the Fiji Meteorological Service, said ocean conditions were perfect for it to strengthen further and people should heed warnings.

"All the ingredients for further intensification is there," Meke said. "This is massive for Fiji, it will be very destructive for Fijians.

Tropical Cyclone Yasa is a Category 1 storm, which is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 within the next two days.

The system is moving in a south-westerly direction before it is expected to turn towards the northwest and by Thursday to be back to today's position.

At this stage, there is no forecast of where the system might be making a landfall.

Meanwhile, a tropical low north of Tonga's Vava'u islands is forecast to intensify and turn into a cyclone by tonight.