Tropical Cyclone Ruby, the first tropical cyclone of the 2021/22 season is expected to intensify to a category three system as it tracks through impacting New Caledonia and south of Vanuatu, but not Fiji based on current path projection, Fiji’s Weather Office says.
On its projected track, TC Ruby is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and gale (65km/h) to storm (100km/h) force winds to majority of New Caledonia including the Loyalty Islands from tomorrow morning.
From Tuesday and early Wednesday TC Ruby is expected to affect southern areas of Vanuatu (Tafea province) possibly bringing period of heavy rain, strong to gale (65km/h) force winds, heavy northwest swell and high seas.
TC Ruby is expected to weaken to a CAT 2 system when it moves away from New Caledonia and Vanuatu on Thursday.
According to the weather office, most outlooks suggest the system will track to the north of the North Island on Thursday, although there still remains some uncertainty as to how close to New Zealand the system will reach.
As of now, TC Ruby will not bring any threat to Fiji. The Fiji Meteorological Service will continue to monitor this weather event and update warnings and forecasts accordingly, the weather office said.
