A heavy rain warning and a flash flood alert remain in force for the entire Fiji group as Tropical Cyclone Vaianu and its associated trough of low pressure continue to affect the country. At 10am today the system was analyzed as a Category 2 cyclone (976 hPa) located about 530 km west‑northwest of Yasawa, moving south‑southeast at about 9 km/hr. Widespread cloud, rain and embedded thunderstorms are expected to persist over the next few days.
Strong wind warnings are currently in force for land areas of the Northern Division, Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, and for the western half of Viti Levu (from Sigatoka–Coral Coast through Nadi to Rakiraki), Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. Fresh to strong northeasterly winds of 30 to 45 km/hr with gusts up to 70 km/hr are expected now in these areas, with winds turning northerly and increasing to around 60 km/hr with gusts up to 80 km/hr from tomorrow. Elsewhere winds will be moderate to fresh northeasterly, gusty at times, with strong northerly or northwesterly conditions developing over many areas by Wednesday.
Rainfall will be frequent across most places — occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times, with a few thunderstorms. Localized heavy falls may cause flash flooding in low‑lying and flood‑prone areas, which is why the Flash Flood Alert remains in force for the whole of Fiji. Sea conditions will be rough to very rough around much of the group; expect hazardous conditions for small craft and coastal activities.
Conditions in main centres follow this general pattern. Navua, Suva and Nausori can expect occasional to periods of heavy rain with a few thunderstorms and strong northerly winds developing from tomorrow (winds up to 45 km/hr, gusts up to 70 km/hr); today’s maximum around 29°C, tomorrow 21–29°C and a Wednesday outlook of stronger northwesterlies with similar temperatures. Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Sigatoka and the Coral Coast, Yasawa/Mamanuca, Taveuni, Kadavu and surrounding areas also face frequent rain, gusty winds and rough seas, with most locations reporting today’s highs near 29°C and overnight lows around 21°C ahead of a warmer, windier Wednesday (lows near 24°C, highs near 29°C for many sites).
Rotuma remains under a strong wind warning for land and waters, with northeasterly winds near 45 km/hr and gusts to 55 km/hr over land and 20–25 knots gusting to 30 knots over the surrounding waters. Seas will be rough with occasional to periods of heavy rain and a few thunderstorms; outlooks indicate strong winds, rain and thunderstorms continuing into Wednesday (tomorrow’s range about 21–29°C, Wednesday 25–30°C). Residents and visitors should secure loose items, avoid flood‑prone areas, and exercise caution around the coast and waterways. For the latest special bulletins and updates, refer to the National Weather Forecasting Centre at https://www.met.gov.fj/alerts/.
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