Weekend Forecast Includes Heavy Rain And Possible Floods
Heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding have been forecast for the weekend.
Photo: Eyespy Radio / Anetone Sagaga
Heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding have been forecast for the weekend, according to a Severe Weather Information statement issued on Friday morning by the Samoa Meteorological Service.
The Met Service attributes the inclement weather to an active convergence zone that is within the vicinity of Samoa.
The system was expected to develop further toward Friday evening bringing heavy downpours and possible floods to areas that are prone to flooding.
The Met Service issued a Heavy Rain Warning and a Marine Warning for the country on Friday morning at 5 a.m.
A Wind Advisory and a Flood Advisory were also issued on Friday morning.
“The convergence zone with associated activities remains within the vicinity of Samoa. The aforementioned system is predicted to develop in the afternoon towards evening and will bring heavy downpours over Samoa and possibly trigger flooding to prone areas,” states the Severe Weather Information No. 7 for Samoa.
“Hence, the Heavy Rain Warning and Flood Advisory remains for Samoa. Further to that, the increase in wind strength of 45-50 kph with some gusty winds this evening warrants the issuance of the Wind Advisory and an upgrade in the Marine Advisory into the Marine Warning.”
Potential Impacts include heavy downpours with poor visibility, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges and pooling near roadsides and waterways.
Flooding and landslides are possible, said the Met Service.
The public should expect strong and gusty winds at times and rough seas.
The Met Service issued a Heavy Rain Advisory on Wednesday, 4 January, 2023. It was upgraded later in the week to a Heavy Rain Warning.
In Thursday night’s downpour, a four-door sedan was spotted in a roadside ditch in Alamagoto between 10 and 11 p.m.