Tropical Cyclone Mona is unlikely to affect Tonga, but weather warnings remain in force for the kingdom.
A heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains for the Niuas and Vava’u land areas.
Kaniva News reports a strong wind warning remains in force for the Niuas and Vava’u land areas.
At 4pm (local time) today Mona, a category one tropical cyclone, was located 810 kilometres west of Niuafo’ou and 1064km northwest Nuku’alofa.
Tropical Cyclone Mona is moving at a speed of about 18km/hr (10 knots) in a south- south-west direction.
The Tongan weather service said that on its current track the potential for Mona to affect Tonga in the next 24hrs was low
A low pressure system is moving slowly over the Niuas and Vava’u, causing periods of heavy rain.
There are warnings for strong winds and heavy, damaging, swells for the Niuas and Vava’u coastal waters.
The forecast to midnight tomorrow for the rest of Tongan coastal waters is for east to southeast winds at 15-20 knots, rising up to 25 knots at times and moderate seas with a moderate southerly swell.
The outlook for Sunday for the Niuas and Vava’u coastal waters is for north to northeast winds of 15-20 knots, rising up to 25-30 knots at times.
Seas are expected to be moderate to rough, with a heavy, damaging, northerly swell.
The overall forecast to midnight tomorrow for the Niuas is for light to moderate north to northeast winds, becoming fresh and strong winds at times. It is expected to be mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times.
For Vava’u, the forecast is for light to moderate east to southeast winds, variable at times and developed a fresh and strong winds by tomorrow evening.
It will be mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times.
For Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua, the prediction is for light to moderate east to southeast winds, fresh at times.
There may be occasional showers, possibly heavy at times.
Photo Kaniva News