Tropical Depression TD01F was upgraded to a category one tropical cyclone and named Tropical Cyclone Rita at 7pm yesterday evening. By 10am today, TC Rita had intensified further and was upgraded to a category two (2) system.
At 1pm today, Tropical Cyclone Rita (CAT. 2) was located near 11.8 degrees’ south latitude and 169.7 degrees’ east longitude or about 340km northeast of Banks, the northern most island of Vanuatu or about 1060km northwest of Nadi. At this moment, TC Rita does not pose any direct threat to Fiji including Rotuma.
TC Rita is anticipated to intensify further in the next six (6) to 12 hours, moving southeast at about 12 kilometres per hour. At its current track, it is expected to steer towards the east of Vanuatu group of islands by tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, occasional showers and few thunderstorms is expected about the northern parts of Vanua Levu and cloudy periods with brief showers over eastern parts and interior of larger islands.
For the rest of the group, expect cloudy periods with afternoon or evening showers.
In anticipation of this, the following warnings remains in force:
A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Waters, Southwest Viti Levu Waters, Kadavu and Vatu-I-Ra Passages.
A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for Rotuma Waters.
For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, met.gov.fj. You can also visit the Fiji Meteorological Service official Facebook page for latest updates.
