APCEDI ALERT 02F #2, 2004: Tropical Depression 02F Deepens and Moves South

Here is the latest update from the Fiji Meteorological Service

Tropical Disturbance Summary For area Equator to 25S, 160E to 120W
issued from RSMC NADI Dec 12/2317 UTC 2004 UTC.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION 02F [1000HPA] LOCATED NEAR 15.5S 173.0E AT 122100 UTC SLOW MOVING. POSITION POOR BASED ON LATEST QUIKSCAT, GOES9 AND PERIPHERAL SURFACE OBSERVATIONS. CLOCKWISE WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS WITHIN 150 MILES OF THE CENTRE. FAIR AMOUNT OF CONVECTION CLOSE TO THE CENTRE. OUTFLOW FAIR IN ALL QUADRANTS. SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 28 TO 29 DEGREES CELSIUS WITH 02F LYING CLOSE TO THE 250HPA OUTFLOW CENTRE. AS THE SYSTEM STILL LIES IN AN AREA OF RELATIVELY WEAK VERTICAL SHEAR THE ENVIRONMENT IS STILL CONDUCIVE FOR FURTHER SLOW DEVELOPMENT. DVORAK CURRENT INTENSITY ESTIMATED AT 2.5.

POTENTIAL FOR 02F TO DEVELOP INTO A TROPICAL CYCLONE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS IS LOW TO MODERATE.

Currently intermittent squally weather is being experienced on Rotuma (Fiji), Tikopia and Anuta (Temotu Province, Solomon Islands). On a southward course, this system could pass between Vanuatu and Fiji without causing too much serious effect to either Island nation. However, the current proximity to Vanuatu warrants the close monitoring of this storm by Vanuatu's eastern and southern islands.