March 23, 2026: Fiji braces for heavy afternoon thunderstorms over Viti Levu and Vanua Levu with risk of flash floods

A moist easterly wind flow will dominate the Fiji group, with a weak trough of low pressure expected to bring additional cloud and showers to parts of the Northern Division from tomorrow. Overall, many eastern and central areas can expect cloudy periods with showers while most other districts will see fine weather apart from the frequent afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms. This bulletin was issued at 3:30pm on Monday the 23rd of March 2026 by the National Weather Forecasting Centre, Nadi.

Cloudy periods with some showers are forecast for Serua‑Namosi, Navua‑Suva‑Nausori, Tailevu‑Naitasiri‑Ra‑Rakiraki, southern Bua, eastern Macuata, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau and Lomaiviti groups, Kadavu and surrounding islets. Showers over the Northern Division are expected to become more occasional from tomorrow. Elsewhere, conditions will generally be fine apart from the usual afternoon or evening showers.

Afternoon thunderstorms with heavy falls are expected over Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Localised heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding of low‑lying and flood‑prone areas, so residents in vulnerable locations should take sensible precautions and avoid driving through flooded roads. Many lowland centres will see overnight minimums in the low to mid‑20s and daytime maxima around 31–33°C in the hotter districts.

Moderate easterly winds and moderate seas are expected for most of the group. Rotuma will also be under a moist easterly flow with cloudy periods, some showers and possible isolated thunderstorms; winds there will be moderate to fresh easterly with moderate to rough seas. Specific coastal and island communities should be prepared for locally gusty conditions during thunderstorms.

The outlook for Wednesday remains largely unchanged: cloudy periods with some showers across the eastern and central coastal areas listed above, fine weather elsewhere apart from afternoon or evening showers, and continued risk of afternoon thunderstorms with heavy falls over Viti Levu and Vanua Levu that could produce flash flooding in low‑lying areas.