Tag Archives: Labasa

Tropical Cyclone Bina Develops Northwest of Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Bina developed northwest of Fiji on Sunday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bina was located at latitude 14.0°S and longitude 175.7°E which put it about 315 miles (510 km) northwest of Labasa, Fiji. Bina was moving toward the southeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

As Tropical Cyclone Ana was moving away from Fiji, Tropical Cyclone Bina developed northwest of that nation. A low pressure system northwest of Fiji strengthened on Sunday and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Bina. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Bina. Those storms generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Bina was small. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Bina.

Tropical Cyclone Bina will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Bina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. An upper level trough east of Australia will produce northwesterly winds which blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and they will inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Bina will likely maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Cyclone Bina toward the southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Bina could reach Vanua Levu within 18 hours. Tropical Cyclone Bina will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Fiji during the next 36 hours. The stormy conditions will make efforts on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu to recover from Tropical Cyclone Ana more difficult. Heavy rain could make floods caused by Ana to become worse.

Elsewhere over the Southwest Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Ana was moving away from Fiji and Tropical Cyclone Lucas was strengthening over the Coral Sea. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana was located at latitude 19.9°S and longitude 179.7°E which put it about 105 miles (17 km) south of Suva, Fiji. Ana was moving toward the south-southeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Lucas was located at latitude 13.2°S and longitude 156.0°E which put it about 870 miles (1405 km) west-northwest of New Caledonia. Lucas was moving toward the east at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb. Tropical Cyclone Lucas is forecast to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon. It could affect New Caledonia and Vanuatu in a few days.

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.