Residents of Fiji’s Western Division should expect a humid start to the week as prevailing easterly winds continue to influence local weather, the Fiji Meteorological Service warned in its latest briefing. Forecaster Steven Meke said while mornings may be relatively settled, afternoons are likely to turn cloudier with isolated showers and thunderstorms, especially across western areas.
Meke said the current easterly wind flow, measured at about 15 to 20 knots, is likely to ease over the next 24 hours and veer toward the north‑east. “At the moment we have an easterly wind flow, 15 to 20 knots, but we expect this wind to ease. On Monday we expect the winds to turn to north‑easterly, around 10 to 15 knots,” he said. The lighter winds are expected to reduce wind intensity at sea, with conditions offshore gradually easing as the direction changes.
The combination of lingering moisture and daytime heating is forecast to produce isolated afternoon thunderstorms in the Western Division. Meke cautioned that while many communities will see mostly fine weather in the mornings, cloud build‑up is likely by afternoon, bringing showers and the potential for brief, heavy downpours and lightning in some spots.
The wind shift is also expected to affect other parts of the country. With winds turning north‑easterly, Meke said the Northern, Central and Eastern divisions should prepare for more persistent damp conditions. “For the Eastern Division, because we are expecting the winds to be coming from the northeast, they will mostly expect showers for most parts of the day, as well as some isolated heavy falls and thunderstorms,” he said.
Mariners and coastal communities are being advised to monitor updates as sea conditions change. Although seas are forecast to ease gradually, the forecaster stressed that isolated squalls associated with afternoon thunderstorms could still produce locally rough conditions and reduced visibility for short periods.
This bulletin is the latest update from Fiji Meteorological Services as the new week begins; residents in affected divisions are reminded to stay aware of short‑term forecasts and any advisories that may follow if thunderstorm activity intensifies.