A trough of low pressure to the west of Fiji is expected to bring cloudy skies, showers and isolated heavy downpours across parts of the country through tomorrow, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) warned in its latest bulletin. The agency said a moist north to northeast wind flow is currently prevailing over the group and will maintain unsettled conditions for at least the next 24 hours.
Forecasters named a string of eastern and interior areas likely to be affected by the showers and isolated heavy falls, including Navua, Suva and Nausori on eastern Viti Levu, the provinces of Tailevu and Naitasiri, as well as Ra and Rakiraki. Northern and eastern islands listed in the advisory include eastern Macuata, Cakaudrove and Taveuni, along with the Lau and Lomaiviti groups, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. The FMS said occasional heavy falls in these locations could lead to flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone communities.
The Met Office cautioned that afternoon thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall are also likely over both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and across other parts of the group residents should expect cloudy periods with some showers and the chance of afternoon or evening storms. While the agency expects a general easing of activity from tomorrow — describing the trend as “showers easing to some showers” — it stressed localized heavy showers could still pose flood risks before the system weakens.
This bulletin is the latest development in a cluster of advisories this season that have repeatedly warned of active troughs bringing pockets of heavy rain and flash-flood potential. Earlier forecasts for the period signalled a broader spell of rain and thunderstorms across the group; the FMS update narrows the immediate window of the most intense falls to the coming 24 hours while reiterating the need for vigilance in vulnerable areas.
Authorities are urging people living in known flood-prone locations to remain alert and take necessary precautions as conditions continue to develop. The FMS advisory warned explicitly that “localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low-lying areas,” and advised communities and local authorities to monitor conditions closely and heed any subsequent warnings or local emergency instructions.
Residents are being reminded to follow updates from the Fiji Meteorological Service and local disaster management offices as the situation evolves. Although showers are forecast to ease from tomorrow, the prospect of isolated heavy rainfall and thunderstorms means flash-flood risk will not be entirely eliminated until the trough moves further away and the wind flow changes.
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