Cyclone Winston reached a category 5 status - the most ferocious of all storms - as it passed the Vava'u group of islands in Tonga tonight.
Its intensity is forecast to remain as it travels towards Fiji, with destructive winds of between 205km/h to 285km/h forecast to arrive tomorrow night.
A warning hast been issued by the Fiji Meteorological Service, estimating the cyclone system would be about 140km east-northeast of the nation's capital, Suva, by 6pm tomorrow, local time.
"Destructive winds may begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes over head or nearby," the advisory said.
Small islands to the east of the capital, including Vanuabalavu, Yacata, Mago, Cicia, Tuvuca, Nayau, Koro, Gau and Vanuavaut, are expected to see "very destructive hurricane force winds" with average speeds of 205km/h, heavy rain and thunderstorms....
This appears to be "Winston." New Zealand is south of it. It is the one causing the most worry at this point.
19 February 2016
0130 utc
South Pacific GOES West satellite with New Zealand (click here for 12 hour loop - thank you)
There is plenty of water vapor to fuel the cyclone. It has reached a cat four and is currently a category 3. Some of these islands are already facing sea level rise.
It is not fun being an island.
This appears to be "Winston." New Zealand is south of it. It is the one causing the most worry at this point.
19 February 2016
0130 utc
South Pacific GOES West satellite with New Zealand (click here for 12 hour loop - thank you)
There is plenty of water vapor to fuel the cyclone. It has reached a cat four and is currently a category 3. Some of these islands are already facing sea level rise.
It is not fun being an island.
