Tropical Cyclone #Sarai is now in a slow but steadily weakening trend, although it remains a strong cyclone. It is moving eastwards along the southern part of Fiji’s archipelago, still having severe winds and heavy rain effects on the islands. Sarai will continue east through the remained of December, nearing the island of Tonga on New Years day.
Visible satellite channel of Sarai during today’s final light, revealing a quite large cyclone with its center just shy south of Fiji’s archipelago. Still, quite intense deep convection is visible and healthy upper-level outflow ventilation.
Advanced Dvorak Technique (ADT) estimates maximum sustained winds are around 50-55 knots, maintaining Category 2 strength. The 50-knot wind radii is extending 35-45 miles around the center, away from any islands of Fiji archipelago. Sarai is in a gradual weakening trend but remains a strong cyclone.
Sarai will be nearing the island of Tonga on Dec 31st. It will still be a strong cyclone while passing between Tonga and SE parts of Fiji’s archipelago through Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec 31st – Jan 1st.
Tropical Cyclone Sarai will continue moving almost due east through the remainder of 2019 and should likely remain a Category 2 or a high-end Category 1 cyclone. While moving towards the Cook Islands, Sarai will gradually be losing its strength and dissipate.
Stay alert for continuing dangerous conditions, we will be posting new updates tomorrow as Sarai comes close to Tonga.
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