Another heavy rain event is expected to affect parts of the Fiji group this weekend.

This is due to another low-pressure system being analysed over the Coral Sea, which is expected to enter into the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) Nadi Area of Responsibility (AoR) around Thursday.

This low-pressure system is expected to take a similar track as Tropical Cyclone (TC) Judy with the possibility of developing into a tropical cyclone as well.

The system is expected to track to the southwest of Fiji and if it does, wind flow over the group is anticipated to change and a moist north-to-north-westerly wind flow is expected to dominate the group.

This could bring frequent rainfall, especially over the Western and Northern divisions from this Saturday.

Flood-prone areas in the Western and Northern parts of Viti Levu, especially Tavua, Rakiraki, Ba, and others may once more be at risk of flooding. There will also be an elevated risk of flash flooding over the weekend and into early next week.

Damaging heavy swells with wave heights of 4 to 5 meters are expected over Fiji waters as this new system passes to the southwest of Fiji. Therefore, there is a risk of coastal inundation over the coastal areas of Bua and Macuata, Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, Western Division, Coral Coast, Beqa, Vatulele, Kadavu, and Ono-i-Lau, especially during the weekend.

Meanwhile, around 6 am today, TC Judy intensified further into a category 2 system while located about 160 kilometers off Vanua Lava or about 430 kilometers north of Vila in Vanuatu.

By midday, TC Judy was located about 125 kilometers east of Vanua Lava or about 420 kilometers north of Vila and moving southwest at about 11 kilometers per hour.

TC Judy is passing over Vanuatu as a category 2 system today with anticipation for it to
further intensify into a category 3 system later tonight as it continues to track over Vanuatu.
On the current analysis, TC Judy poses no direct threat to the Fiji Group.

Current warnings;

A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the land areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca
groups, greater Nadi-Lautoka-Ba area, but is NOW CANCELLED for Kadavu, Macuata,
Cakaudrove and Northern Bua Province, Taveuni, and nearby smaller islands.

A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for all Fiji Water