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#Sarai remains a strong Tropical Cyclone with Category 2 strength, pounding Fiji archipelago with dangerous flooding and damaging winds

Tropical Cyclone #Sarai has been steadily intensifying today as is now still a strong Category 2 cyclone, packing winds of 65-70 knots relying on Dvorak estimates. Based on the Australia & South Pacific TC classification, Sarai is close to borderline for a Severe Tropical Cyclone Category 3 (threshold 64–72 knots of maximum 10-min sustained winds). Cyclone continues pounding the Fiji archipelago and is expected to slowly drift east through the next 48 hours when it finally weakens.


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NEW UPDATE: Category 2 Tropical Cyclone #Sarai continues to drift eastward just south of #Fiji archipelago, expected to pass very near #Tonga for the New Year

Category 2 Tropical Cyclone #Sarai continues to drift eastward just south of #Fiji archipelago, expected to pass very near #Tonga for the New Year



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Satellite imagery reveals a still very healthy structure and especially upper-level outflow ventilation of the cyclone, while microwave channels indicated a closed eyewall, meaning the system is quite intense! Cloud tops are still close to -75 °C.


The large eye and an intense eyewall are well visible both of Fiji’s radar and satellite images:



Advanced Dvorak Technique (ADT) indicates Tropical Cyclone #Sarai has been steadily intensifying today into a strong Category 2 cyclone and is now a bordeline to a Severe Tropical Cyclone. The 50-knot wind radii is expanding 50-60 miles around the center, while there is also 20-30 miles wind radii of 64-knot winds around the center now. Undoubtedly, Sarai is a powerful cyclone!


Reports of floodwaters causing significant damage as Tropical Cyclone #Sarai pounded Fiji arhipelago since yesterday:


The Sarai’s future behavior remains on track with the previous guidance, it is now moving due east as a powerful cyclone. The intense rainfall and severe winds is expected to remain over much of the archipelago.


Stay alert for life-threatening conditions. We are closely monitoring Sarai’s evolution and will keep you updated!

Previous discussions:

An explosive eyewall convection is now wrapping around the clearing eye of a Category 2 Tropical Cyclone #Sarai


Tropical Cyclone #SARAI brushing the main Fiji island Viti Levu and is now a Category 2 Tropical Cyclone


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