Meteorological Brief on Severe Tropical Cyclone "ULA" ^Featured

Severe Tropical Cyclone "ULA" has average wind speeds around its Center of 100 to 110km/hr and moving South Southwest at about 8km/hr. A Hurricane warning is now in force for Vava'u, Storm warnings are in force for Niuatoputapu, Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua and Gale warnings are in force for Niuafo'ou. Damaging Swell warnings are in force for Vava'u, Niuatoputapu, Ha'apai, Tongatapu and Eua.

Latest Weather Map @ 6am (RSMC Nadi)

Latest Weather Map @ 6am (RSMC Nadi). Severe Tropical Cyclone "ULA" moving South Southwest at 8km/hr (4knots)

Analysis and Forecast Track

 On the current forecast track, Severe Tropical Cyclone "ULA" is expected to lie about 120km North Northeast of Vava'u around 1am Saturday morning.

Likely Impacts

According to the wind strength associated with a Category 3 Cyclone, Severe Tropical Cyclone "ULA" has the potential to cause the following impacts.
(1)    Major property damage
(2)    Significant infrastructure and crop damage
(3)    Local power failure
(4)    High risk of injuries

Vava'u is the Island Group most likely to bear the most impact of the cyclone however at this stage, all island areas of the Kingdom are in the threat area as Severe Tropical Cyclone "ULA" approaches Tonga from the Northeast quadrant and further updates will be needed to establish better estimates of likely threat areas as the cyclone moves closer to the group today and Tonga.

ENDS