APCEDI Alert SP/WF 19P Tomas #1-2010: Cyclone Tomas forms north of Wallis and Futuna

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre are issuing guidance on Cyclone Tomas, a tropical cyclone that has formed earlier today north of the French Territory of Wallis and Futuna.

This centre of this system is currently located 300 kms north of capital city Matāʻutu on Wallis Island. It is moving west at 6 knots. Maximum sustained winds are 35 kts making Tomas a weak tropical storm. Cyclone Tomas is expected to slowly strengthen into tomorrow and may reach Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Most models are forecasting Cyclone Tomas to slowly turn toward the south-southwest over the next 24-48 hours towards Fiji.

A cyclone alert has been raised for Futuna Island. A gale wind warning is now in place for Wallis and a strong wind warning in place for Futuna.

All residents of Wallis and Futuna should monitor this cyclone carefully and follow Government advice. Residents across Fiji should also monitor this system closely as forecasts are indicating that Cyclone Tomas may approach in 48-72 hours.

Special Weather Bulletin Number SEVEN for Wallis and Futuna ON TROPICAL CYCLONE TOMAS

ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI Mar 12/0130 UTC 2010 UTC.

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

GALE WIND WARNING IS NOW IN FORCE FOR WALLIS. A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT REMAINS IN FORCE FOR FUTUNA. A STRONG WIND WARNING IS NOW IN FORCE FOR FUTUNA.

TROPICAL CYCLONE TOMAS 995HPA CENTRE LOCATED NEAR 10 DECIMAL 6 SOUTH 176 DECIMAL 2 WEST OR 155 MILES NORTH OF WALLIS OR 250 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF FUTUNA AT 120000 UTC. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING WEST AT 06 KNOTS. IT WILL CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY INTENSIFY OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. EXPECT SUSTAINED CLOCKWISE WINDS OF 35 KNOTS CLOSE TO THE CENTRE. EXPECT CLOCKWISE WINDS OVER 33 KNOTS WITHIN 120 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE OF THE CENTRE. EXPECT WINDS OVER 47 KNOTS WITHIN 40 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE BY 121800UTC.

ON THIS TRACK, THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO BE LOCATED ABOUT 145 MILES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF WALLIS AND ABOUT 200 MILES NORTH-NOTHEAST OF FUTUNA AT 121200 UTC AND ABOUT 145 MILES NORTHWEST OF WALLIS OR ABOUT 145 MILES NORTH OF FUTUNA AT 130000 UTC.

FOR WALLIS:
DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 30 TO 40 KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 55 KNOTS. PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS EXPECTED.

FOR FUTUNA:
SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS INCREASING TO 20 TO 25 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 40 KNOTS. WINDS MAY INCREASE TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE IN THE NEXT 24 TO 36 HOURS. RAIN BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND HEAVY WITH SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. VERY ROUGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS DEVELOPING. FLOODING INCLUDING SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS EXPECTED.

PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS BULLETIN.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR WALLIS AND FUTUNA WILL BE ISSUED AT 120430 UTC OR EARLIER.

APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Please go to the AFAP APCEDI WebSite for the complete interactive alert on Cyclone Tomas.
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Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator

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