APCEDI Alert SP/Tn 14F Lin #1-2009: Cyclone Lin forms over Northern Tonga

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre are issuing guidance on Cyclone Lin, a tropical cyclone that has formed over Northern Tonga.

Cyclone Lin formed from a lingering tropical depression last night between Vanua Levu, Wallis and Futuna and Northern Tonga. Lin currently located 125 miles south of Niuafo'ou or 130 miles west-northwest of the Vavau Group. Lin is moving eastsoutheast at 15 knots and is expected to maintain this course through tomorrow.

Cyclone Lin is intensifying and could pose a significant threat to the Vavau, Ha'apai and Tongatapu Group later today into tomorrow. Lin is currently forecasted to pass about 80 miles west of the Vavau group later tonight into tomorrow as a Category 1 or 2 storm on the Australian Cyclone Severity Scale.

All interests in effected areas of Tonga should rush cyclone preparations to a finish, monitor local warnings and follow all Government advice. All interests in Fiji's Lau Group, and Wallis and Futuna should stay alert and closely monitor the situation.

CURRENT WARNINGS

TONGA

A TROPICAL CYCLONE STORM WARNING IS NOW IN FORCE FOR VAVAU, HA'APAI AND TONGATAPU GROUPS AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE NIUAS.

FIJI

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING.

A TROPICAL CYCLONE GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE LAU GROUP.

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

WALLIS AND FUTUNA

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE FOR FUTUNA IS NOW CANCELLED.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR WALLIS AND FUTUNA.

Tonga Warning from the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number SEVEN for Tonga ON TROPICAL CYCLONE LIN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI Apr 03/2257 UTC 2009 UTC.

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A TROPICAL CYCLONE STORM WARNING IS NOW IN FORCE FOR VAVAU, HA'APAI AND TONGATAPU GROUPS AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS. A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE NIUAS.

TROPICAL CYCLONE LIN [990HPA] CAT 1 CENTRE WAS LOCATED NEAR 17 DECIMAL 6 SOUTH 176 DECIMAL 0 WEST OR ABOUT 125 MILES SOUTH OF NIUAFO'OU OR ABOUT 130 MILES WEST-NORTHWEST OF VAVAU AT 032200 UTC. CYCLONE IS INTENSIFYING.

CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE SUSTAINED WINDS OF 45 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 65 KNOTS. WINDS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 50 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 75 KNOTS IN THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS.

THE CYCLONE IS MOVING EAST-SOUTHEAST AT ABOUT 15 KNOTS. ON THIS TRACK, THE CYCLONE IS EXPECTED TO LIE ABOUT 190 MILES SOUTH OF NIUAFO'OU OR ABOUT 80 MILES WEST OF VAVAU AT 04/1000 UTC AND ABOUT 90 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF VAVAU AT 042200 UTC. WINDS WILL INCREASE AS THE CENTRE MOVES OVERHEAD OR NEARBY.

FOR THE NIUAS;
DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 35 TO 40 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 55 KNOTS DECREASING THIS EVENING. PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS POSSIBLE.

FOR VAVAU, HA'APAI AND TONGATAPU GROUPS AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS : WINDS INCREASING TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 50 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 75 KNOTS IN THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS. FREQUENT HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS POSSIBLE.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MARINERS: EXPECT WINDS OF 45 KNOTS CLOSE TO CENTRE INCREASING TO 50 KNOTS IN THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS. EXPECT WINDS OVER 33 KNOTS WITHN 150 MILES OF CENTRE. HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

POOR VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR TONGA WILL BE ISSUED AT 040130 UTC.

PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS BULLETIN.

APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.
___________________________________________
Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

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