AVARUA, Cook Islands — A tropical cyclone alert is in force for the Cook Islands as Tropical Depression TD01F moves toward the Southern Cook Islands and may strengthen into a Category 1 cyclone, the Cook Islands Meteorological Service said, according to RNZ Pacific.
The system was about 352 kilometers north of the low-lying atoll of Suwarrow with sustained winds of about 46 km/h and was expected to pass close to Suwarrow within 24 to 36 hours. Forecasters warned of damaging gale-force winds with gusts up to 93 km/h, heavy rain, squally thunderstorms and very rough seas.
Service director Maara Vaiimene urged residents to secure loose objects, check roofs and nearby trees, and keep radios ready in case of power cuts. He said El Niño conditions were contributing to the unusually early development; the official South Pacific cyclone season does not begin until Nov. 1, RNZ Pacific reported.
Earth Sciences New Zealand has forecast elevated cyclone activity for parts of the Pacific in the coming season.
Sources: RNZ Pacific, RNZ Pacific (alert)
—
