A trough of low pressure remains slow moving over the northern and eastern islands while a moderate to strong east to southeast wind flow is affecting much of the group. A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for southern Lau, Yasayasa Moala, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, the Yasawa, Lau and Lomaiviti groups, the southern and eastern half of Viti Levu (from Sigatoka Coral Coast through Suva up to Rakiraki), southern Bua, eastern Macuata, and Cakaudrove including Taveuni and nearby smaller islands.
In the warning areas expect east to southeast winds of 35 to 45 km/h, reaching up to 55 km/h at times, with winds easing to moderate to fresh southeast tomorrow. Seas will be rough to very rough in these zones. Elsewhere across the group winds are moderate to fresh from the southeast with moderate to rough seas. Mariners and coastal communities should note the strong wind warning and the likelihood of hazardous sea conditions.
Occasional rain and a few thunderstorms are expected over the Lau group, eastern Macuata and Cakaudrove provinces, with isolated heavy falls possible. Cloudy periods with showers are forecast for the Suva–Nausori–Korovou–Rakiraki corridor, Serua–Namosi–Naitasiri–Ra–Tailevu and southern Bua province, and Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. Elsewhere the weather is expected to be mostly fine apart from isolated afternoon or evening showers and possible thunderstorms. Localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Key local expectations: Navua, Suva and Nausori will see east to southeast winds 35–45 km/h and up to 55 km/h at times, easing tomorrow, with cloudy periods, showers and isolated afternoon thunderstorms and heavy falls (max 29°C, min 21°C). Nadi, Lautoka and Ba should remain mainly fine apart from isolated afternoon or evening showers and possible thunderstorms (max 31°C, min 21°C). Rakiraki may experience the stronger east–southeast winds at times, while Tavua sees moderate to fresh east–southeast winds; both areas can expect cloudy periods with showers and isolated thunderstorms (max 31°C, min 21°C). Labasa, Savusavu and Nabouwalu have cloudy periods with showers and isolated thunderstorms (Labasa max 31°C, min 22°C; Savusavu/Nabouwalu max 30°C, min 22°C). Taveuni, the Lau and Lomaiviti groups and Kadavu can expect occasional rain with localised heavy falls and isolated thunderstorms in places; Taveuni and Kadavu carry the flash-flood risk for low-lying areas (Taveuni/Kadavu max around 30°C, min 22–23°C; Lau/Lomaiviti max 29°C, min 22°C). Rotuma remains affected by the trough with occasional heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms, moderate southeasterly winds and moderate to rough seas (max 31°C, min 23°C).
The outlook for Wednesday is for cloudy periods with showers over Serua–Namosi, Navua–Suva–Nausori, Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra, Cakaudrove, southern Bua, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, and the Lau and Lomaiviti groups and Kadavu; elsewhere should be mainly fine apart from afternoon or evening showers. Given the strong winds, very rough seas in exposed areas and the threat of localised heavy rain, residents in flood-prone locations and those with coastal or maritime interests should take appropriate precautions.