A trough of low pressure is lying across the Fiji group and will continue to influence the islands through to later tomorrow, bringing widespread cloud, showers and the chance of isolated thunderstorms. A generally west to northerly wind flow prevails today, and most areas can expect unsettled conditions before a shift to moderate east to southeast winds on Monday.
The heaviest activity is forecast for the Northern Division, the eastern and interior areas of Viti Levu, the Yasawa group, Lau and Lomaiviti, where occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms are likely. Elsewhere across the group there will be cloudy periods with showers and a higher risk of afternoon or evening thunderstorms, with heavy falls possible in some places. The Mamanuca group is specifically expected to see cloudy spells with showers and afternoon or evening thunderstorms that could produce heavy rain.
People in low-lying and flood-prone areas should be aware that isolated heavy falls may lead to flash flooding. Motorists and pedestrians should take care on swollen creeks and flooded roads, and those living near streams and riverbanks should monitor local conditions as runoff may rise quickly during heavy downpours. Marine users should note that seas are generally moderate, but conditions may become rougher in exposed areas; Rotuma is expected to see moderate to rough seas with moderate to fresh northwesterly winds.
Temperatures across the islands will remain warm, with daytime highs generally around 30 to 31 degrees Celsius and isolated highs up to about 32 degrees in parts of the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups. Night-time minima will be in the low to mid 20s Celsius. Local centres such as Suva, Nausori and Navua are expected near 30 degrees during the day, while Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni and northern coastal areas will see similar warm conditions with the added chance of isolated heavy falls.
On Monday the trough’s influence eases slightly but showers and isolated thunderstorms will persist over eastern and interior Viti Levu, Lau and Lomaiviti, southern parts of Bua and Cakaudrove, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. Winds are expected to shift to a moderate east to southeast flow and seas to remain moderate. Rotuma will continue to experience shower activity with isolated thunderstorms and remain subject to the stronger northwesterly winds and rougher seas.
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