26 Mar 2011

Tropical cyclone Bune develops to a category three storm

6:55 am on 26 March 2011

The Fiji met service says tropical cyclone Bune has now developed into a category three storm.

The cyclone is south of Fiji and moving very slowly in a south-easterly direction.

The cyclone is intensifying further, with sustained winds of 120 kilometres about the centre and increasing to 148 kilometres in the next 24 hours.

The lead forecaster at the Fiji met service, David Grant, says at this stage, cyclone Bune poses no immediate threat to land.

"So the only issue will be for mariners throughout there really and I imagine once it does move down towards New Zealand it may bring some rain associated with it but I expect it to remain out in open waters in the next few days."

David Grant of the Fiji Met service.