APCEDI Alert SP/Tn 14F Lin #3-2009: Cyclone Lin Bears Down on Tongatapu Group

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre are issuing guidance on Cyclone Lin, a tropical cyclone that is moving across Southern Tonga.

Cyclone Lin is currently located 25 nautical miles (46 kms) west-northwest of the Tongan capital, Nuku'alofa on Tongatapu. Lin is moving south at 8 knots and is expected to maintain a south to south east course through today and into tomorrow.

Cyclone Lin is intensifying slowly and will pose a significant threat to the Tongatapu Group throughout today and into tomorrow. Lin is currently forecasted to pass about near or over Tongatapu and 'Eua later today as a Category 2 storm on the Australian Cyclone Severity Scale.

Category 2 equates to minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small craft may break moorings. Localised coastal and lowland flooding is also likely.

All interests in effected areas of Tongatapu and 'Eua should rush cyclone preparations to a finish, monitor local warnings and follow all Government advice.

CURRENT WARNINGS

TONGA

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A STORM WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR TONGATAPU GROUPS, EUA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR HA'APAI AND NOMUKA GROUPS.

THE GALE WARNING PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE FOR VAVAU IS NOW CANCELLED.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE NIUAS AND VAVAU.

FIJI

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING DISCONTINUED

Tonga Warning from the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number FIFTEEN for Tonga ON TROPICAL CYCLONE LIN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI
Apr 04/2238 UTC 2009 UTC.

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A STORM WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR TONGATAPU GROUPS, EUA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR HA'APAI AND NOMUKA GROUPS.

THE GALE WARNING PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE FOR VAVAU IS NOW CANCELLED.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE NIUAS AND VAVAU.

TROPICAL CYCLONE LIN [980HPA] CAT 2 CENTRE WAS LOCATED NEAR 21 DECIMAL 0 SOUTH 175 DECIMAL 6 WEST OR ABOUT 65 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHWEST OF NOMUKA OR ABOUT 25 NAUTICAL MILES WEST-NORTHWEST OF NUKU'ALOFA AT 042200 UTC.

CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE SUSTAINED WINDS OF 55 WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 75 KNOTS. WINDS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 60 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 80 KNOTS WITHIN THE NEXT 6 HOURS.

THE CYCLONE IS MOVING SOUTH AT ABOUT 08 KNOTS AND EXPECTED TO CURVE AND ACCELERATE TOWARDS THE SOUTHEAST. ON THIS TRACK, THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO LIE ABOUT 65 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF NUKU'ALOFA AT 050400 UTC AND ABOUT 140 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF NUKU'ALOFA AT 051000 UTC. WINDS WILL INCREASE AS THE CENTRE MOVES OVERHEAD OR NEARBY.

FOR TONGATAPU GROUPS, EUA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS: DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 55 TO 60 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 80 KNOTS. FREQUENT HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL
AREAS.

FOR THE HA'APAI AND NOMUKA GROUPS:
DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 35 TO 40 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS EASING LATER TODAY. FREQUENT HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS.

FOR THE NIUAS AND VAVAU GROUP:
NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 40 KNOTS. PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MARINERS: EXPECT WINDS OF 55 KNOTS CLOSE TO CENTRE INCREASING TO 60 KNOTS IN THE NEXT 6 HOURS. EXPECT WINDS OVER 47 KNOTS WITHIN 50 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE. VERY HIGH SEAS. EXPECT WINDS OVER 33 KNOTS WITHIN 150 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE. HIGH TO VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS. POOR VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR TONGA WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 050130 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/

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.