Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tropical disturbance off Samoa brings strong winds and rain

Posted at 20:20 on 04 February, 2013 UTC

The Samoa Meteorological Service has issued a gale warning for the whole country with winds of 64-88 kilometres per hour expected today.

It’s also warning of damaging swells of 15-18 feet for all of Samoa open waters.

A flood and landslide advisory also remains in effect for vulnerable areas.

A Tropical Disturbance was located about 418 kilometres southwest of Asau and 442 kilometres southwest of Apia at 3 a.m. this morning.

The disturbance continues to move southeast and slowly intensifying, and will be located to the south of Apia at about 320 kilometres in the next 6-12 hours.

In addition an active convergence zone remains over Samoa with associated heavy rain at times.