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Fiji next in line for late-season cyclone

Ben Domensino, Thursday May 11, 2017 - 11:13 AEST

Tropical Cyclone Ella is approaching Fiji and could cause severe weather across the country's eastern island groups from tomorrow.

The category two cyclone was located between Fiji and Samoa this morning, with wind gusts near its core estimated to be 130km/h. It is moving west and should cause conditions to deteriorate in Fiji tomorrow.

According to the Fiji Meteorological Service, wind and rain will increase across Fiji tomorrow. Heavy rain that may cause flooding and wind gust of 110km/h are possible on Vanu Levu, Taveuni and the Lau and Lomaiviti island groups from the afternoon or evening.

Ella is the second cyclone to be named in the Southwest Pacific region this week and continues an impressive late-season flurry of tropical cyclones in the southern hemisphere in recent weeks.

Tropical Cyclone Donna became the strongest cyclone ever recorded south of the equator during May when it reached category five intensity near Vanuatu on Monday.

In the Australian region, seven of the nine cyclones that formed during the six-month 2016/17 season were named in April and May. This was unusually late to have so many cyclones form and was a stark contrast to the rest of the season.

Cyclone Ella may strengthen further before reaching Fiji later in the week. Refer to the Fiji Meteorological Service's website at http://www.met.gov.fj/ for the latest advisories and information on this system.

- Weatherzone

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