Tropical Cyclone Wati formed over the South Pacific Ocean east of Samoa on Friday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Wati was located at latitude 13.6°S and longitude 163.1°W which put the center about 510 miles (820 km) east of Pago Pago, Samoa.  Wati was moving toward the south-southeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 986 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean east of Samoa strengthened on Saturday night and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Wati.

Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Tropical Cyclone Wati.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Wati’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Wati generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Wati.

Tropical Cyclone Wati will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Wati will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is over the South Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Wati’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Wati will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Wati is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Wati will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the South Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Wati toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Wati will move farther away form Samoa.  Wati will move over Aitutaki on Sunday.

Tropical Cyclone Wati will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Aitutaki.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.