Tropical Cylone Kofi formed near Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Kofi (16P formed) near Fiji after lingering in the region for several days as a tropical low pressure area. The system is moving southeastward.

According to Australia Network News, Tropical Cyclone Kofi, as a low pressure area, had already dropped heavy rainfall over the main island of Viti Levu, including the capital Suva. Flooding has been reported in Viti Levu and continued to fall on February 28, 2014.

MTSAT IR satellite image of TC Kofi taken on March 2, 2014 at 00:32 UTC (Credit: NOAA/UW-CIMMS)

The Fiji Meteorological Service cancelled Heavy Rain Warning for southern and eastern Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group. The Fiji Met Service has forecast "periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms over southern and eastern Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands: Lau and Lomaiviti group. A gale warning remains in force for the Tongatapu group. A strong wind warning remains in force for rest of Tonga.

GOES 15 visible satellite image of TC Kofi taken on March 02, 2014 at 01:52 UTC (Ctedit: NOAA/GOES/FNMOC)

According to The Fiji Meteorological Service, TC Kofi was located near 23.1S 174.6W at 02:00 UTC on March 2, 2014. Maximum recorded winds are about 45 knots (83 km/h, 51.5 mph). TC Kofi is moving southeastward at speed of 11 knots (20 km/h, 12.4 miles).

Global models agree on southeast movement with slight intensification.

TC Kofi forecast rack (Credit: RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre)

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center has forecast Tropical Cyclone Kofi to move in a southeasterly direction over the next five days.

TC Kofi forecast track (Credit: JTWC)
 

Satellite Animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Infrared (Aviation Color Enhancement) (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Colorized) (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)

• Storm-Centered Infrared (Meteosat 7; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Enhanced Infrared (Meteosat 7; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (Meteosat 7; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Meteosat 7; CIMSS)

• Southwest Pacific Infrared (MTSAT; NOAA)
• Southwest Pacific Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT; NOAA)
• Southwest Pacific Water Vapor (MTSAT; NOAA)

​Featured image: TC Kofi IR satellite image taken on March 2, 2014 at 02:20 UTC (Blue Marble/Courtesy of NASA)