Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tropical cyclone Evan named - nearing Samoa

Posted at 16:10 on 12 December, 2012 UTC

A tropical cyclone nearing Samoa has been named Evan.

Early yesterday afternoon, the cyclone was 300 kilometres westsouthwest of Apia, and is moving slowly east.

The Fiji’s metservice’s director, Alipate Waqaicelua says it is expected to be a category one cyclone, with gale force winds of 35 to 45 knots.

He says it is anticipated to strenghten.

“It is a small system, meaning it is [a] pretty compact system, it does not have a very wide area of circulation, so communities will not feel the impact until it is very close to them. Perhaps the rain and thunderstorms will be the telltale signs that it is spreading near to them.”

Alipate Waqaicelua says the cyclone is expected to turn back from Samoa, and pass over northern Tonga, before heading straight for Fiji.