Liua is South Pacific's first cyclone in September for 70 years

Cyclone Liua is the first cyclone to form in the south‑west Pacific in the month of September for nearly 70 years.

Radio NZ reports the Solomon Islands' southern provinces are being drenched by heavy rain this morning as Cyclone Liua continues to linger nearby.

The category one cyclone is about 100 kilometres South South West of Makira as it slowly moves out to sea.

The cyclone is carrying low winds but authorities are concerned about the high amounts of rain being unleashed on an already saturated country.

The official cyclone season for our part of the world runs from November 1st to the end of April.

Chris Brandolino of the New Zealand climate and weather office says Liua comes even before forecasters have put together their cyclone outlook for the region.

He says it is very unusual, in fact this is the first tropical cyclone to form in the month of September going back to 1950.

Brandolino says the official outlook from regional forecasters should be out next month.

Nadi Weather Office’s forecaster, Stephen Meke also says that September cyclones were extremely unusual but the conditions in the whole region are months ahead of usual.

Meke says though we are still in the transition months, the environment has presented itself and allowed for this Tropical Cyclone to fire up.

He says there is a high likelihood of an El Niño developing this summer, which usually brings more intense cyclone seasons.