APCEDI Alert 13P, Unnamed System (IVY) #2, 2004

Dear Colleagues

Alert 2, Unnamed System 13P / 23 February 2004, Sydney 10:00 EDT

The cyclonic system which formed Saturday night between Vanuatu and Fiji, has strengthened a little and is now located 320 nm ENE of Port Vila. It is currently at tropical storm strength but could become a Category 1 Cyclone later today or tomorrow. It is now drifting slowly west bringing it closer to Central Vanuatu.

Satellite views still show a weak system overall but growing levels of convection throughout the storm. The JTWC track brings the storm over Efate and the capital Port Vila in 36-48 hours possibly as a strong Category 1-Category 2 storm. It could then loop back through the southern islands of Vanuatu or continue southwestward toward New Caledonia.

All concerns in Vanuatu, New Caledonia and western Fiji should continue to monitor this storm as it develops over the next few days.

APCEDI will continue monitoring the event. More detailed information about the storm can be found on

https://metoc.npmoc.navy.mil//jtwc.html
http://www.met.gov.fj/advisories.html
http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc_pages/tc_home.html

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator