Bureau warns of adverse weather conditions

 By HENRY PAMBUAI

PARTS of the country may be affected by adverse weather conditions developing near the country, the National Weather Service (NWS) says.

A low pressure system is developing south-east of the country and may form into a cyclone today, NWS director Samuel Maiha said. He said with the possibility of a cyclone occurring today, or over the weekend, people especially in Milne Bay should take extra care when travelling at sea.

“To remain on the safe side, I’d advise people in Samarai and communities in Milne Bay not to go out fishing on their canoes during this time.

“I also warn people travelling by sea during this time to take necessary precautions as sea swells may rise to between two to 2.5 metres,” he said.

Maiha told The National that the system would cause “strong to gale force winds of 25 to 48 knots and northwesterly winds”.

The system is slowly developing near Townville on the Queensland coast.

The United Nations Department of Safety and Security said the Australian Bureau of Meteorology had reported a 20 to 50 per cent chance of a cyclone forming in the Coral Sea today.

“An increasing monsoonal flow to the north of the system will combine with a southeasterly wind surge to the south to result in a deepening of the low over the next few days,” the department said in a statement.