Tropical Cyclone Vaianu and an associated trough continue to affect Fiji, with a heavy rain warning and a flash flood alert in force for the whole group and strong wind warnings for several divisions. Clouds, periods of rain and embedded thunderstorms are expected to persist across the country for the next few days as the system moves southeastward.
The cyclone was analysed at 990 hPa and located about 580 km west‑northwest of Yasawa at 4am, moving south‑southeast at roughly 9 km/h. The trough over the islands is producing occasional to periodic rain, heavy at times, with localised very heavy falls possible. The National Weather Forecasting Centre has reiterated that heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding in low‑lying and flood‑prone areas.
Strong wind warnings are in force for land areas of the Northern Division, the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, and now for the western half of Viti Levu (from Sigatoka–Coral Coast through Nadi to Rakiraki), as well as Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. A strong wind alert applies to the rest of Fiji. Many areas can expect fresh to strong northeasterly winds of 30–45 km/h with gusts to about 70 km/h today, with a forecast escalation on Tuesday to strong northerly winds up to around 55–60 km/h and gusts as high as 75–80 km/h. Seas are predicted to be rough to very rough.
Across major centres—Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Sigatoka/Coral Coast, Tavua/Rakiraki, Suva/Nausori/Navua, Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni, Nabouwalu, Yasawa/Mamanuca, Kadavu and Lomaiviti/Lau—expect occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times, with a few thunderstorms. Daytime maxima are generally near 29–30°C with overnight lows mostly in the mid‑20s (around 23–25°C). Rotuma remains under a strong wind warning with northeasterly winds to 45 km/h (gusting to 55 km/h) over land, 20–25 knots on the waters gusting to 30 knots, rough seas and continuing periods of rain.
Marine and coastal conditions will be hazardous with very rough seas expected in many locations, and localised flash flooding remains a threat to low‑lying and flood‑prone communities. The National Weather Forecasting Centre advises following the Special Weather Bulletins on heavy rain and flash flooding for updates and safety information at https://www.met.gov.fj/alerts/.
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