Tropical Cyclones Tomas and Ului are both causing problems for
residents in the South Pacific Ocean today, March 16, and watches
and warnings are in effect for the Fiji Islands and the Solomon
Islands, respectively. NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites passed over
each storm and their images were combined to show the close
proximity of the troublemaking twins.
Tropical Cyclone Ului is farthest west and is impacting the
Solomon Islands. Regional warnings that are in effect for the
Solomon Islands include a tropical cyclone warning for
Rennell/Bellona. In addition, a tropical cyclone watch is up for
Guadalcanal, Makira, Central, Western, Malaita, Isabel and Choiseul
provinces including the Shortland Islands. The gale-force winds in
Rennell and Bellona and southern Guadalcana provinces are expected
to ease later in the day.
At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) today, March 16, Ului had maximum
sustained winds near 126 mph (110 knots) making it a strong
Category Three cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson scale. It was located
about 725 nautical miles northeast of Cairns, Australia, near 13.6
South and 157.8 East. It was moving southwest near 4 mph (3 knots).
For updates from the Solomon Island Meteorological Service: http://www.met.gov.sb/.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, or MODIS
instrument on NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites captured an image
that showed Ului's eye reduced down to 20 nautical miles in
diameter, and is cloud-filled at 0305 UTC (11:05 p.m. EDT, March
15). Recent infrared satellite imagery shows spiral bands of
thunderstorms continue to wrap around the storms center, and the
storm still has good outflow. Sea surface temperatures are warm (at
least 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and are enabling the system to
maintain strength.
Ului is expected to turn west in two days, and steer toward the
east coast of Australia, while gradually weakening from increased
wind shear. Residents of Queensland, Australia should monitor
tropical cyclone forecasts and bulletins.
Meanwhile, farther east lays Tropical Cyclone Tomas. At 5 a.m.
EDT (0900 UTC) today, Tomas was packing maximum sustained winds
near 115 mph (100 knots) also making the cyclone a Category Three
storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Tomas, also known as
Cyclone 14F in the Fiji Islands, was moving south at 13 mph (11
knots). At that time it was located approximately 215 nautical
miles east-southeast of Nadi, Fiji, near 19.5 degrees South
latitude and 179.3 West longitude.
Watches and Warnings are in effect for the Fiji Islands. In Fiji
a Cyclone Warning is in effect for eastern quarter of Ono-I-Lau,
Vatoa and nearby islands. Meanwhile a gale warning is in effect for
the following: Oneata, Vanuavatu, Matuku, Totoya, Moce, Komo,
Fulaga, Ogea, Namuka, Kabara and nearby islands. For updates from
the Fiji Meteorological Service: http://www.met.gov.fj/.
Trouble is coming for Tomas, and that means weakening awaits the
system as it continues moving south. Satellite data has shown that
Tomas' eye has become ragged, cloud-filled and asymmetric,
indicating a weakening storm. In the next day, vertical wind shear
is forecast to increase, and wind shear can weaken a storm. In
addition, Tomas is moving into an area of cooler sea surface
temperatures which will also rapidly decay the tropical
cyclone.
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