APCEDI Alert SP/VA 21P Becky #2-2007: Cyclone Becky weakening between Southern Vanuatu and Loyalty Islands.

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre and Meteo France continue issuing guidance on Cyclone Becky that is weakening between Southern Vanuatu and the Loyalty Islands (Îles Loyauté) of New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie).

Cyclone Becky peaked in intensity late yesterday at borderline Tropical Storm and minimal Category 1 Hurricane strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It is now weakening as it continues to past about 200 km west of the Southern Vanuatu islands and northeast of the Loyalty Islands (Îles Loyauté). Fortunately for both groups it looks like Becky will pass roughly equidistantly between both island groups so that no major islands will receive a direct hit from the storm. It will then continue to dissipate as it gets into the colder water of the Southern Ocean. Heavy rain, gusty wind and rough seas will occur throughout the area, but only minor damage such as beach erosion, some trees and branches down and some crop damage is expected

All interests in both the Southern Vanuatu islands including Erromango, Tanna and Anatom and the Loyalty Islands (Îles Loyauté) including Ouvéa, Lifou and Maré should stay on alert as the cyclone passes between the groups and heed any Government instructions.

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

STORM WARNING 035 ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI Mar 28/1913 UTC 2007 UTC.

TROPICAL CYCLONE BECKY CENTRE [980HPA] WAS LOCATED NEAR 20.5 SOUTH 168.0 EAST AT 281800 UTC. POSITION POOR.REPEAT POSITION 20.5S 168.0E AT 281800 UTC.
CYCLONE MOVING SOUTH AT ABOUT 06 KNOTS. CYCLONE WEAKENING.

EXPECT SUSTAINED WINDS OF 55 KNOTS CLOSE TO THE CENTRE DECREASING TO 40 KNOTS IN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 HOURS.
EXPECT WINDS OVER 47 KNOTS WITHIN 30 MILES OF CENTRE AND OVER 33 KNOTS WITHIN 80 MILES OF THE CENTRE IN THE NORTHERN SEMICIRCLE AND WITHIN 100 MILES OF CENTRE IN THE SOUTHERN SEMICIRCLE.

FORECAST POSITION NEAR 21.6S 167.9E AT 290600 UTC AND NEAR 22.4S 167.5E AT 291800 UTC.

ALL VESSELS WITHIN 300 NAUTICALS MILES OF THE CENTRE ARE REQUESTED TO SEND REPORTS EVERY THREE HOURS TO RSMC NADI. VOS REPORTING SHIPS USE NORMAL CHANNELS. OTHER VESSELS FAX PLUS 679 6720190 OR EMAIL NADITCC AT MET DOT GOV DOT FJ.

THIS WARNING CANCELS AND REPLACES GALE WARNING 034.

This will be the last APCEDI report on this system.

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

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/VA 21P Becky #1-2007: Cyclone Becky passing west of Vanuatu, bringing tropical storm conditions.

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre and Meteo France have begun issuing guidance on Cyclone Becky that formed Monday afternoon and is currently passing to the west of Vanuatu.

Cyclone Becky formed to the west of Espiritu Santo Island on Monday afternoon from a tropical depression that had been passing south of the Solomon Islands over the weekend. The diffuse centre of Cyclone Becky is now located roughly 200 km northwest of Efate and 150 km southwest of Malakula. Becky will is moving south-southeast which will keep 100-200 km west of the central and southern Vanuatu groups tonight and into tomorrow. It will begin to pose a threat to New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie) after tomorrow.

Cyclone Becky is currently on the border strong Tropical Storm strength to minimal Category 1 Hurricane strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It is forecast to slightly increase to Category 1 strength and then peak for a about 24 hours before gradually weakening. Recent satellite images indicate that the storm is now peaking and will not likely strengthen too much further.

Espiritu Santo and Malakula have experienced tropical storm conditions over the last 24 hours, but only minor damage such as beach erosion, some trees down and some crop damage is being reported. The weather has improved there is the last 6 hours. The rest of the central and southern groups are likely to get heavy rains and gusty winds, but only minor damage is likely given the size and speed of the storm. Interests in Central and Southern Vanuatu should remain on alert, monitor the storm's progress and take any actions as the Government instructs.

The Loyalty Islands (Îles Loyauté) of New Caledonia including Ouvéa, Lifou and Maré could receive a direct hit from Becky on Wednesday night into Thursday. Interests there should stay on alert as the cyclone approaches and heed any Government instructions.

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Tropical Disturbance Summary For area Equator to 25S, 160E to 120W
ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI Mar 27/0902 UTC 2007 UTC.

TROPICAL CYCLONE BECKY CENTRE [980HPA] WAS LOCATED NEAR 14.7 SOUTH 165.6 EAST AT 270600 UTC. POSITION POOR. REPEAT POSITION 14.7S 165.6E AT 270600 UTC. CYCLONE MOVING SOUTHEAST AT ABOUT 10 KNOTS. CYCLONE INTENSIFYING.EXPECT SUSTAINED WINDS OF 55 KNOTS CLOSE TO THE CENTRE POSSIBLY INCREASING TO 60 KNOTS IN THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS. EXPECT WINDS OVER 47 KNOTS WITHIN 30 MILES OF CENTRE AND OVER 33 KNOTS WITHIN 80 MILES OF THE CENTRE IN THE NORTHWEST SEMICIRCLE AND WITHIN 120 MILES OF CENTRE IN THE SOUTHEAST SEMICIRCLE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SYSTEM REFER TO TROPICAL DISTURBANCE ADVISORY NUMBER A5 ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI Mar 27/0757 UTC 2007 UTC.

NO OTHER SIGNIFICANT DISTURBANCES ANALYSED OR FORECAST IN THE AREA.

APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system

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

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.