Updated Dec. 27, 2019 12:10 PM
A satellite view of Tropical Cyclone Sarai as it narrowly missed Fiji early Saturday morning, local time. (RAMMB/CIRA)
Sarai, the southwest Pacific Ocean's latest named tropical cyclone, will bring downpours and gusty winds to Fiji through Saturday.
A disturbance that AccuWeather meteorologists have been monitoring throughout the week strengthened to a tropical cyclone early Friday morning.
Sarai has since intensified into a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Fiji Intensity Scale. At this intensity, Sarai is equivalent to a strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic or East Pacific basins.
Fiji's National Disaster Management Office announced that evacuation centers have opened their doors for people to seek shelter from the cyclone.
Fiji Airways has cancelled a number of flights and a major tourist travel company in the country has suspended cruise operations until the weather improves, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
"Tropical Cyclone Sarai passed very close to Fiji Friday night into Saturday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said. "Heavy rainfall of 3-6 inches (75-150 mm) with an AccuWeather Local Storm Max™ of 9 inches (225 mm) will be possible into Sunday. Wind gusts of 60-80 mph (95-130 km/h) can also occur."
As of early Saturday morning, Nadi, Fiji, has picked up around 5.4 inches (138 mm) of rain and recorded a wind gust of 67 mph (108 km/h).
Rainfall amounts of this magnitude can trigger flash flooding and mudslides. The strong winds can lead to fallen trees and localized damages to weak structures.
The Fiji Sun reports that many roads have been closed due to fallen trees and high water.
"Sarai will track just south of Fiji as it drifts east-southeast this weekend," Nicholls said.
Conditions will be slow to improve across the country with additional downpours likely through the weekend even in the cyclone's wake.
"Beyond Fiji, the cyclone will turn southeast into the open South Pacific and should pose no threat to Australia or New Zealand," Nicholls said.
Download the free AccuWeather app to check the forecast in your area. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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