Tropical cyclone Pam deepens over Vanuatu

Tropical cyclone Pam deepens over Vanuatu

At 1am this morning (NZ local time) severe tropical cyclone Pam was located about 70km east of Port Vila, Vanuatu. TC Pam is still a category 5 cyclone, and has intensified slightly overnight with the central pressure dropping to an estimated 899hPa and winds close to the centre of about 250km/h. The area of gales (65km/h winds) is estimated to extend up to 380km from the centre of the cyclone, affecting much of Vanuatu. TC Pam is still moving slowly south, and is expected to cross the southern Vanuatu islands of Erromango and Tanna during the next 12 hours while intensifying slightly.

The latest forecast track for TC PAM was issued by RSMC Nadi, Fiji at 2.24amthis morning. The track shows that TC PAM is expected to take a southeast track to the northeast of New Zealand over the next couple of days. Although the tropical nature of the system will change as it moves south towards New Zealand, the cyclone will still remain a very intense storm, with heavy rain,severe gales and high seas associated with it.Please refer to the latest severe weather watches and warnings issued by MetService for more information on its possible impact on New Zealand's weather.

ENDS

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