TD09F to enter Fiji waters today and intensify into Cat. 1 TC by this evening

Tropical Depression 09F (TD09F) is expected to enter the Fiji waters from the northeast of Vanua Levu later today and may intensify into a Category 1 tropical cyclone by this evening.

The Fiji Meteorological Office says the centre of TD09F was located to the far northeast of Fiji about 300km northeast of Udu Point at 6am today, and it is expected to track south towards Fiji while gradually intensifying.

It says a gale warning remains in force for the eastern parts of Vanua Levu (eastern Macuata and eastern Cakaudrove], Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni and Northern Lau group and is now in force for the rest of Lau group and Lomaiviti group.

The Met Office says a heavy rain warning remains in force for the Northern Division, Lau and Lomaiviti groups.

A heavy rain alert remains in force for the rest of Fiji.

A gale warning remains in force for Koro Sea, Vanua Levu and Lau waters, while a strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji waters.

Director Fiji Meteorological Services Misaeli Funaki says they have been tracking the system, and it continued to intensify overnight and developed into a tropical depression, TD09F.

He says the models agree that it will continue to intensify.

For land areas of the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu [eastern Macuata and eastern Cakaudrove], Cikobia, Naqele Levu, Taveuni, Lau and Lomaiviti group: expect strong southeasterly winds with wind speeds up to 50km/hr and gusts up to 65km/hr. The winds will become clockwise and possibly increase up to 65km/hr, and gusts will be up to 90km/hr from later tonight.

Expect occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms developing later today.

There will be rough to very rough seas, and high seas from later tonight.

For the eastern and northern Viti Levu [from Tailevu North through Ra-Rakiraki up to Tavua], Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands: expect strong southeasterly winds with speeds of up to 50km/hr and gusts up to 65km/hr.

There will be occasional showers, increasing to rain and becoming heavy and frequent from later tonight.

For the rest of Fiji Group: expect cloudy periods with some showers.

The showers will increase to rain and become frequent and heavy with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow.

Expect moderate to fresh southeast winds and rough seas.