Another tropical cyclone called Keni has formed in the South Pacific Ocean between Vanuatu and Fiji. On April 10, the Fiji Meteorological Service issued several warnings on Tropical Cyclone Keni. A Hurricane Warning remains in force for Ono-I-Lau. A Gale Warning remains in force for the rest of Southern Lau Group. A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji.

Published 6 years ago, updated 5 years ago

5pm, Tuesday, 10 April 2018

Fiji Meteorological Service Media Release

As Category 3 Tropical Cyclone Keni (TC Keni) approached Viti Levu, track more steadily southeastwards and passed 120km south-southwest of Nadi at around midday and was located over the western part of Kadavu at 3 pm today. It continues to move southeastwards at 35km/hr.

At 4.40pm today, severe TC Keni centre was located near 19.3 south latitude and 178.6 east longitude or about 50km southeast of Kadavu and about 120km west of Matuku.

Severe TC Keni maintained its intensity with average winds of 130km/hr and momentary gusts to 185km/hr. On this projected track and current speed, the centre is expected to be located approximately 80km west of Ono-i-Lau at about 10:40 pm tonight and approximately 240km southeast of Ono-i-Lau at about 4:40 am tomorrow morning. It is then expected to continue to move southeastwards away from the Group.

As TC Keni continues to track over the southern parts of Fiji, winds to ease over northern, western and eastern parts of the Group. Severe TC Keni is anticipated to weaken into a category 2 system in the next 6 to 12 hours and further weaken to category 1 cyclone as it progresses southeastwards in the next 12 to 24 hours.

Over Kadavu and nearby smaller islands and Ono-i-Lau, expect very destructive hurricane force winds with average speed of 130km/hr and momentary gusts to 185km/hr and gradually easing over Kadavu from this evening and easing over Ono-i-Lau from tomorrow morning. Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms with rain gradually easing as it moves southeastwards.

For the Moala Group, expect destructive storm force winds with an average speed of 100km/hr and momentary gusts to 140km/hr. Winds gradually easing from later tonight. Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms with rain gradually easing from later tonight.

For southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Beqa and the rest of Southern Lau, expect damaging gale force with an average speed of 80km/hr and momentary gusts to 110km/hr. Winds gradually easing from later tonight. Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms with rain gradually easing from later tonight.

For the rest of Fiji, expect strong northwesterly winds with an average speed of 50 km/hr and momentary gusts to 80km/hr. Heavy rain and squally thunderstorms with rain easing from tonight. Improvement in weather is anticipated from tomorrow over the western parts, however occasional rain, heavy at times is likely.