21 Apr 2016

Samoa could find itself in path of storm

6:08 am on 21 April 2016

There is a high change a tropical depression which is currently sitting to the North North-West of Wallis and Futuna could turn into a cyclone, forecasters say.

The Fiji Met service is monitoring the system which is moving in a north-west direction at around 10 knots.

Forecaster Misaeli Funaki said it did not pose any direct threat to cyclone-weary Fiji.

He said it was moving away from Wallis and Futuna but was expected to make a u-turn and head towards Samoa over the coming days.

"But I've been told that the authorities in Samoa are also aware of it and they're anticipating its gradual turn. There is a high possibility that it will develop into a tropical cyclone and we are monitoring its development very closely."

Misaeli Funaki said the Met Service was issuing warnings for it.