27 Dec 2002

Cyclone Zoe steadily making its way to Vanuatu

5:17 pm on 27 December 2002

A storm which buffeted southern Tuvalu over the Christmas period has developed into an intensifying tropical cyclone code-named Zoe.

For the latest this is special advisory number five for Vanuatu.

Zoe was located near 11.3 degrees South and 172.5 degrees East at zero hours UTC today, moving west south west at 10 knots.

Average winds near the centre are estimated at 75 knots, increasing to 85 knots in the next 12 to 24 hours.

Zoe is expected to continue on a west south west track.

Zoe is expected to pass about 170 miles west of Torres Island and northwest of Banks Islands around zero hours UTC, Saturday 28th.

For Torres and Banks Islands and Santa Maria, winds increasing to 35 to 40 knots with gusts up to 55 knots developing by zero hours UTC tomorrow.

For Espirito Santo, Aoba and Maewo, winds increasing to gale force or stronger developing round 12 hours UTC, Saturday 28th and gradually spreading to the rest of the country later.

Heavy swells developing over Northern Vanuatu.