A slow-moving trough of low pressure is bringing widespread cloud, rain and gusty northwesterly winds across the Fiji group, with conditions persisting into tomorrow. A previous heavy rain warning for the entire group has been cancelled, but a flood warning remains in force for flood-prone areas adjacent to and downstream of the Tuva River in Nadroga and for the Nawaka and Nadi rivers. A flash flood warning is still in force for Viti Levu and a flash flood alert continues for the rest of Fiji. A strong wind warning remains in force for Vatulele, Beqa, the southern Lau group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.
Expect strong northwesterly winds of up to 55 km/h with gusts to 80 km/h over Vatulele, Beqa, southern Lau, Kadavu and neighbouring smaller islands. Elsewhere over land, fresh northwesterly winds are likely and will be gusty at times. Winds are forecast to turn westerly and gradually ease to moderate to fresh from tomorrow. Seas are rough to very rough today, becoming moderate to rough from tomorrow for most waters. Occasional rain, heavy at times, and isolated thunderstorms will affect most areas, and localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone locations.
In the Central and Western corridors, Navua, Suva and Nausori can expect occasional rain, heavy at times with a few thunderstorms before conditions ease to showers from tomorrow. Temperatures there are forecast around a minimum of 23°C and a maximum near 29°C, with Friday showing a return to cloudy periods and showers including the possibility of heavy falls and isolated thunderstorms. Nadi, Lautoka and Ba, as well as Sigatoka and the Coral Coast, will also see occasional heavy rain and thunderstorms with easing to showers later tonight and similar daytime temperatures in the low 20s to high 20s.
Northern and eastern towns including Labasa, Savusavu, Nabouwalu and Taveuni will experience occasional heavy rain and thunderstorms with rain easing to showers from tomorrow; daytime highs are generally near 29°C. The Lau and Lomaiviti groups are under the influence of strong northwesterly winds (up to 55 km/h, gusting to 80 km/h over the Lau group) with occasional heavy rain and thunderstorms, easing to showers from tomorrow. Kadavu also remains under a strong wind warning with the same wind and rain pattern; both areas will see winds turn westerly and ease from tomorrow.
Rotuma is being affected by the active trough as well. The strong wind warning for land areas of Rotuma has been cancelled, but the warning remains for the waters around Rotuma. Over the waters northerly winds of 20 to 25 knots with rough seas are expected, easing from tomorrow to moderate to rough. Over land, moderate to fresh northerly winds will continue with occasional heavy rain and a few thunderstorms before easing to showers from tomorrow. For current alerts and further details, refer to the National Weather Forecasting Centre at https://www.met.gov.fj/alerts/.
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