South Pacific Ocean - Tropical Cyclone ULA

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 03:39:00 +01:00

Tropical Cyclone ULA continued to move north-west over the southern Pacific Ocean south of Fiji but away from land weakening to a Tropical Storm. It then started to slightly intensify. On 7 January at 18.00 UTC its centre was located approx. 540 km east of the southern Vanuatu group of islands and it had max. sustained wind speed of 102 km/h.
Over the next 48 h it is forecast to move initially north-west with a later change to south-west, towards the southern Vanuatu group of islands strengthening. It may then start weakening.
Heavy rain has already been affecting Fiji causing floods especially in the area of Sarava, Ba. Approx. 56 mm of rain in 24h were observed in Nadi over 6-7 January. As of 8 January early morning (UTC), a flood warning is in effect for Rakiraki district (Fiji) and a Severe Weather Warning for central and southern Vanuatu islands.