Tropical Cyclone “Ella” dumping heavy rain on Wallis and Futuna
Off-season Tropical Cyclone "Ella" is currently dumping heavy rain on Wallis and Futuna but its track has changed it does no looker look like it's gonna impact any land before it dissipates. Although the cyclone is no longer expected to intensify, heavy rain and winds may still affect several Fiji islands and Wallis and Futuna over the next couple of days.
At 03:00 UTC on May 12, Tropical Cyclone "Ella" was located approximately 603 km (372 miles) northeast of Suva, Fiji, and has tracked northwestward at 7 km/h (4.6 mph) over the past six hours. Its maximum sustained winds were near 139 km/h (86 mph) with gusts to 167 km/h (103 mph). This made Ella a Category 1 hurricane equivalent on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Weakening is expected to begin near 15:00 UTC on May 13.
Tropical Cyclone "Ella" forecast track by RSMC Nadi on May 12, 2017
Fiji Meteorological Service has issued a Tropical Cyclone Alert for strong winds for the islands of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands. Meteo France New Caledonia reported that a Tropical Cyclone Alert number 2 is in effect for Futuna island (Wallis and Futuna).
Tropical Cyclone "Ella" forecast track by JTWC on May 12, 2017
Tropical Cyclone "Ella" on May 12, 2017. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS
Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Ella" on May 12, 2017. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS
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