APCEDI ALERT 02F #4, 2004: Tropical Depression 02F Creeps toward Vanuatu

Tropical Depression 02F has crept slowly southwestward toward Vanuatu. Intermittent squalls and heavy rains are occurring in Vanuatu from Efate northward. Intermittent squalls and heavy rains are decreasing on Anuta and Tikopia (Solomon Islands), and on Rotuma (Fiji). Here are the latest updates:

FROM JOINT TYPHOON WARNING CENTER
http://www.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc.html

Click here for JTWC Map sh9705.gif

TROPICAL DISTURBANCE SUMMARY:
(1) THE AREA OF CONVECTION PREVIOUSLY LOCATED NEAR 14.4S9 173.0E1, IS NOW LOCATED NEAR 14.1S6, 172.4E4, APPROXIMATELY 425 NM WEST-NORTHWEST OF SUVA, FIJI. A 121807Z9 QUIKSCAT PASS INDICATES A WELL DEFINED LOW LEVEL CIRCULATION CENTER (LLCC). RECENT MULTISPECTRAL SATELLITE IMAGERY REVEALS A PARTIALLY EXPOSED LLCC WITH WEAK CONVECTION. UPPER LEVEL ANALYSIS INDICATES AN ENVIRONMENT OF LOW TO MODERATE VERTICAL WIND SHEAR AND FAVORABLE DIVERGENCE. MAXIMUM SURFACE WINDS ARE ESTIMATED AT 25 TO 30 KNOTS. MINIMUM SEA LEVEL PRESSURE IS ESTIMATED TO BE NEAR 1003 MB. SEE REF B (WTPS21 PGTW 122100) FOR FURTHER DETAILS. THE POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL CYCLONE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS REMAINS GOOD.


FROM FIJI METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE
http://www.met.gov.fj/advisories.html

TROPICAL DEPRESSION 02F CENTRE [1000HPA] LOCATED NEAR 14.4S 171.6E AT 131800 UTC. POSITION POOR. DEPRESSION SLOW MOVING. CLOCKWISE WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS WITHIN 100 MILES OF CENTRE POSSIBLY INCREASING TO 35 KNOTS IN THE NORTHEASTERN SEMICIRCLE IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. VERY ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE SWELLS. POOR VISIBILITY WITHIN 100 MILES OF CENTRE.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/