Tag Archives: Vita Levu

Tropical Cyclone Ana Forms Northwest of Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Ana formed northwest of Fiji on Friday afternoon. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana was located at latitude 15.3°S and longitude 175.4°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) northwest of Nadi, Fiji. Ana was moving toward the east at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

A low pressure system northwest of Fiji strengthened on Friday afternoon and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Ana. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Ana. Thunderstorms also formed in bands in the eastern half of the tropical cyclone. Bands in the western side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Ana will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Ana will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the eastern end of an upper level ridge that is oriented from west to east. The ridge will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification at times. Tropical Cyclone Ana is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours, but the wind shear could limit strengthening.

Tropical Cyclone Ana will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Ana toward the southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana could reach the northern coast of Vita Levu within 36 hours. Ana will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the Yasawa Group of islands first and then it will bring stormy conditions to Vita Levu and Vanua Levu. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.