APCEDI Alert SP/CI 20P/11F Joni #1-2009: Cyclone Warning for Southern Cook Islands

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre are issuing guidance on Cyclone Joni, a minimal tropical cyclone that has formed in the Southern Cook Islands, east of Rarotonga.

This system is currently located 72 nautical miles(135 kms) eastsoutheast of Rarotonga. It is moving southwest at 5 knots and is expected to recurve to the south later today.

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre has issued a cyclone warning covering Rarotonga, Manuae, Mauke, Mangaia, Aiutake and nearby smaller islands.

Cyclone Joni will continue to move to the south away from the Cook Islands tomorrow. All interests in the Southern Cook Islands should monitor the storm carefully and follow all government advice.

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From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Southern Cook Islands Advisory

Special Weather Bulletin Number FIVE for Southern Cooks ON TROPICAL CYCLONE JONI
ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI Mar 11/1242 UTC 2009 UTC.


Tropical Cyclone Warning

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR RAROTONGA, MANUAE, MAUKE, MANGAIA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR AITUTAKI.

TROPICAL CYCLONE JONI 11F [995HPA] CENTRE WAS ANALYSED NEAR 21 DECIMAL 6 SOUTH 158 DECIMAL 6 WEST AT 111200UTC OR ABOUT 41 NAUTICAL MILES WESTNORTHWEST OF MANGAIA AND 72 NAUTICAL MILES EASTSOUTHEAST OF RAROTONGA. JONI IS CURRENTLY MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 05 KNOTS AND IS EXPECTED TO CURVE SOUTHWARDS IN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 HOURS. MAXIMUM 10 MINUTE AVERAGE WINDS CLOSE TO THE CENTRE ESTIMATED AT 35 KNOTS. ON ITS CURRENT TRACK, JONI WILL BRING DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS OVER RAROTONGA, MANUAE, MAUKE, MANGAIA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS FOR THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS.

FOR RAROTONGA: SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS GUSTING 40 KNOTS, POSSIBLY INCREASING TO 25 TO 35 KNOTS IN THE NEXT 12 HOURS. WINDS EASING AND TENDING WEST TO NORTHWEST LATER TODAY. PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING OF LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS. VERY ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE NORTHERLY SWELL DEVELOPING.

FOR MANUAE, MAUKE, MANGAIA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS: DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS 30 TO 35 KNOTS WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 KNOTS. WINDS GRADUALLY EASING FROM LATER TODAY. PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING OF LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS. VERY ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE NORTHERLY SWELL DEVELOPING.

FOR AITUTAKI: WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 KNOTS GUSTING 40 KNOTS. WINDS EASING LATER TODAY. PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING OF LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS. VERY ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE NORTHERLY SWELL DEVELOPING.

FOR PALMERSTON: MODERATE SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS, TURNING WEST TO NORTHWEST TODAY. BRIEF SHOWERS. MODERATE SEAS.

PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS BULLETIN.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR THE SOUTHERN COOK ISLANDS WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 111600Z OR EARLIER.

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APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system, although this will likely be the last APCEDI Alert for this minimal system as it passes into the Southern Ocean.
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Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

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