Tropical Cyclone Pita formed over the South Pacific Ocean west of Niue on Friday.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Pita was located at latitude 18.5°S and longitude 172.2°W which put the center about 155 miles (250 km) west-northwest of Niue.  Pita was moving toward the east-southeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 991 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean west of Niue strengthened on Friday and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Pita.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Pita organized quickly on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of the center of Pita’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Pita.  Storms near the center of Pita generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Pita will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pita will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Pita’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Pita is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Pita will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Pita toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Pita will reach Niue in less than 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone PIta will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Niue.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.