Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tropical cyclone Garry now a category three storm

Posted at 03:16 on 25 January, 2013 UTC

Forecasters say tropical cyclone Garry is now a category three system bringing damaging gale force winds to the northern Cook Islands.

This morning the cyclone is located just north of Palmerston Island atoll and Suwarrow.

The average winds close to the centre of the cyclone is estimated to be 148 kph with momentary gusts of 203 kph.

Fiji Met forecaster, Shalwin Singh, says the cyclone has brought gale force winds, heavy rain and high sea swells as it moves south east towards Aitutaki.

“Based on our current forecast track we dont expect the gale force winds to impact Rarotonga. And currently it is a category 3 system and it is moving in a south east direction at about 10 knots.”

Shalwin Singh.

Cyclone Garry passed through Samoa and American Samoa waters earlier in the week, but didn’t make landfall.