APCEDI Alert SP/Fj 15P Gene #1-2008: Cyclone Gene forms over Fiji.

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre have begun to issue guidance on Tropical Cyclone Gene that has formed earlier today over the Fiji Islands.

The centre of Cyclone Gene is located just offshore to the north of Rakiraki on the main Fiji island of Viti Levu at 08 PM this evening Fiji time. Gene is moving to the southwest at 20 km/hr, and is intensifying slowly.

The current forecast map shows Gene moving across the Northern Sections of Viti Levu and the Yasawas tonight before passing out into the Pacific Ocean between Vanuatu and Fiji. Cyclone Gene is at minimal Tropical Storm strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. This equates to Category 1 on the Australia Scale. It will gradually increase in strength as it moves westward toward Vanuatu. At its current low strength, damage should be minimal as Gene makes its way across Fiji although some moderate localised damage is possible in exposed areas.

A gale warning is in effect for Viti Levu, Beqa, Vatulele, Kadavu, the Western half of Vanua Levu, Lomaiviti Group, Yasawa And the Mamanuca Group And Nearby Smaller Islands, and a strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of the Fiji
Group.

All residents and interests in Fiji should monitor the storm carefully and follow all government advice as Cyclone Gene passes over. It is possible that if Gene continues on its westward course, alerts will need to be raised for Vanuatu tomorrow. All interests in Vanuatu should monitor the progress of the storm and be ready to take action if the Government issues any advice.


ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI

GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR VITI LEVU, BEQA, VATULELE, KADAVU, WESTERN HALF OF VANUA LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUP AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF THE FIJI GROUP.
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From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre


Fiji Advisory

Special Weather Bulletin Number THREE for Fiji ON TROPICAL CYCLONE GENE ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 8:04pm on Monday the 28th of January 2008

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING.

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR VITI LEVU, BEQA, VATULELE, KADAVU, WESTERN HALF OF VANUA LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUP AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF THE FIJI GROUP.

TROPICAL CYCLONE GENE CENTRE 990HPA, CATEGORY 1, WAS LOCATED NEAR 17 DECIMAL 4 SOUTH 178 DECIMAL 2 EAST CLOSE TO RAKIRAKI AT 6PM THIS AFTERNOON. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING SOUTHWEST ABOUT 20 KM/HR AND INTENSIFYING SLOWLY. CLOSE TO THE CENTRE THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE WINDS OF AVERAGE SPEEDS of 65 TO 75KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 140 KM/HR. WINDS CLOSE TO THE CENTRE EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 85 KM/HR IN THE NEXT 18 HOURS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED OUT TO 150 KM OF CENTRE IN THE SOUTHERN SEMI-CIRCLE AND OUT TO 110 KM OF CENTRE IN THE NORTHERN SEMI-CIRCLE.

ON THIS TRACK THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS EXPECTED MOVE ACROSS VITI LEVU TONIGHT AND SHOULD BE TO THE WEST OF THE COUNTRY BY MIDDAY TOMORROW.

FOR VITI LEVU, BEQA, VATULELE, KADAVU, WESTERN HALF OF VANUA LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUP AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, EXPECT DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 65 TO 75KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 140 KM/HR. PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING INCLUDING FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS EXPECTED.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI, STRONG WINDS BETWEEN NORTH AND EAST WITH SPEEDS OF 45 TO 60 KM/HR WITH GUSTS TO 130KM/HR. PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.

FOR ROTUMA, FRESH AND GUSTY WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS. OCCASIONAL RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. ROUGH SEAS WITH A MODERATE NORTHWESTERLY SWELL.

The following information is provided especially for the mariners: EXPECT WINDS OF 35 TO 40 KNOTS WITHIN 80 MILES OF CENTRE IN THE SOUTHERN SEMI-CIRCLE AND 60 MILES OF CENTRE IN THE NORTHERN SEMI-CIRCLE. HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI WATERS: WINDS FROM THE NORTH TO EAST 25 TO 30 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 80 KNOTS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS. VERY POOR VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI ON TC GENE WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 2AM TOMORROW.

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APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

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

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