Tropical Cyclone Mal is currently affecting Fiji and is the first “official” cyclone for the 2023/2024 South Pacific Cyclone Season, following the early season Cyclone Lola which affected Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands in late October.

Published 1 year ago

Source:  Fiji Metereological Service

Tropical Cyclone Mal approached the Fiji Group on Tuesday November 14 as a Category 2 system and intensified into a Category 3 tropical cyclone overnight, but it is now showing signs of weakening.

Currently TC Mal has sustained winds of 65 knots (120 km/hr) and gusts of 90 knots (165 km/hr) close to its centre (minimum central pressure of 975 hPa).  It was located 155 km southwest of Nadi or 205 km west-northwest of Kadavu early wednesday morning (November 15).

The system has passed Nadi and is now moving close to the island of Kadavu.  It is currently moving southeast at a speed of 17 knots or 31km/hr. While the winds should gradually ease over the Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups and western Viti Levu, gales force winds may continue to be experienced for few more hours.

The Fiji Met Service said that while the winds should gradually ease over the Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups and western Viti Levu, gales force winds may continue to be experienced for few more hours.

“The risk of storm to gale force winds are still maintained for Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. Current analysis indicates that the destructive hurricane force winds associated with the system is confined close to the centre. So the chance of hurricane force winds affecting land areas is low,” said forecaster Samisoni Waqavakatoga

“The meteorological office said several parts of Fiji have received significant rainfall in the past 12 hours.

“Further rainfall will increase the risk of flooding in low laying and flood prone areas.”

Samisoni Waqavakatoga said the cyclone was expected to continue to weaken further as it continued tracking south southeast.

Early Start to the South Pacific Cyclone Season

The 2023/2024 South Pacific Cyclone season started unprecedentedly early in the South Pacific, with the official naming of Cyclone Lola in late October 2023.

The cyclone season typically runs from 1 November to 30 April, making Cyclone Lola only the 7th pre-season South Pacific cyclone to form in October since 1970.

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Related News:

• Tropical Cyclone Outlook 2023/2023 – Fiji Met Service
• New Zealand:  Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lola Lashes North Island (Noonsite October 2023)
• South Pacific Cyclone Season 2023:  Normal to Below Normal Season Predicted (Noonsite October 2023)

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Related Links:

• Fiji Metereological Service – Social Media
• Fiji Metereological Service – Website
• Noonsite Weather Resources
• Metbob
• Passage Guardian

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