Special Weather Bulletin Number EIGHTEEN for Niue ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE
WINSTON ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI
Feb 181324 UTC.
 

THE TROPICAL GALE WARNING PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE FOR NIUE IS NOW CANCELLED.
A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR NIUE LAND AREA AND WATERS.
A DAMAGING HEAVY SWELL WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR NIUE.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE WINSTON CENTRE [945HPA] CATEGORY 4 WAS LOCATED NEAR 17.3
SOUTH 172.4 WEST OR ABOUT 330KM NORTHWEST OF NIUE AT 181200 UTC. CLOSE TO ITS
CENTRE THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS OF 175KM/HR AND MOMENTARY
GUSTS TO 250KM/HR. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING WEST AT 9KM/HR FURTHER AWAY FROM NIUE. 

ON THIS TRACK THE CYCLONE IS NOW EXPECTED TO DIRECTLY CAUSE GALES OVER NIUE IN
THE NEXT 2 TO 3 HOURS.

FOR NIUE:
STRONG EASTERLY WINDS WITH WITH AVERAGE SPEED OF 50KM/HR AND GUST TO 70KM/HR.
PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. DAMAGING HEAVY
SWELLS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS LIKELY.   

The following information is provided especially for the Mariners:
STRONG EASTERLY WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS WITH GUST TO 40 KNOTS. ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH
SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.


THIS WILL BE THE FINAL SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR NIUE. THE NEXT BULLETIN WILL
BE THE ROUTINE WEATHER BULLETIN TO BE ISSUED AT 181630 UTC.