Tag Archives: Tino

Tropical Cyclone Tino Speeds Across Tonga

Tropical Cyclone Tino sped quickly across Tonga on Saturday.  The core of Tino passed northeast of Nuku Alofa and the most populated island of Tonga.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tino was located at latitude 24.0°S and longitude 170.6°E which put it about 370 miles (595 km) east-southeast of Nuku Alofa, Tonga.  Tino was moving toward the southeast at 26 m.p.h. (42 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

The strongest part of Tropical Cyclone Tino passed northeast of the more populated Tongatapu Group of islands in Tonga.  The core of Tino passed closer to the Vava’u Group and Ha’apai Group of islands in Tonga.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 350 miles (565 km) from the center of Tino.  Tropical Cyclone Tino brought gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of Tonga.

Tropical Cyclone Tino began to weaken after it passed across Tonga.  Tino moved over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was cooler than 26°C.  Tropical Cyclone Tino moved southwest of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean.  The ridge caused moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear contributed to the weakening of Tino.  Colder Sea Surface Temperatures and moderate vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Tino to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next two days.

Tropical Cyclone Tino Brings Wind, Rain to Eastern Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Tino brought wind and rain to eastern Fiji on Friday.  The core of Tino moved east of Vanua Levu but the large circulation around the tropical cyclone brought wind and rain across eastern Fiji.  There were reports of flash floods in some parts of Fiji.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tino was located at latitude 18.6°S and longitude 176.7°W which put it about 190 miles (305 km) north-northwest of Nuku Alofa, Tonga.  Tino was moving toward the southeast at 27 m.p.h. (45 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Tino intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon as it moved over eastern Fiji.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and a possible eye was seen on some infrared satellite images.  The strongest winds were occurring in a ring of thunderstorms around the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the tropical cyclone.  There was a large circulation around Tropical Cyclone Tino.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 400 miles (645 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Tino was 11.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.1.  Tropical Cyclone Tino was capable of causing widespread mostly minor damage and smaller areas of more significant damage.

Tropical Cyclone Tino will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Tino will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move around the southwestern portion of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will produce northwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough during the next 12 hours to prevent intensification.   The wind speed will increase in about a day or so and more vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Tino to weaken when that occurs.

Tropical Cyclone Tino will around the southwestern end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Tino toward the southeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Tino could affect Tonga within 12 hours.  Tino will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it moves over Tonga.  It will bring strong winds and rain.  Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Tropical Cyclone Tino Forms North of Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Tino formed north of Fiji on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tino was located at latitude 14.3°S and longitude 178.3°E which put it about 155 miles (250 km) west-northwest of Labasa, Fiji.  Tino was moving toward the southeast at 13 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

The circulation around a large area of low pressure north of Fiji consolidated around a distinct low level center of circulation on Thursday and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Tino.  The circulation around Tino was still organizing.  A primary band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the northern, eastern and southern sides of the circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming around Tropical Cyclone Tino.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 400 miles (645 km) north of the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center in the southern half of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Tino will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Tino will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move around the southwestern part of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce northwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will generate moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will slow the rate of intensification, but the shear will not be strong enough to keep Tropical Cyclone Tino from getting stronger.  Tino could intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Tino will move southwest of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Tino toward the southeast during the next few days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Tino could be near the eastern end of Vanua Levu in about 12 hours.  Tino could approach Tonga in about 36 hours.  Tropical Cyclone Tino will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Vanua Levu, Taveuni and many of the smaller islands in eastern Fiji.  Locally heavy rain  could cause flash floods in some locations.