Weather officer warns of strong northwest winds

By MICHAEL LAI
STRONG northwest winds are blowing over PNG and may continue into the weekend and next week, according to the National Weather office.
Director Samuel Maiha said the winds may be accompanied by heavy rain causing floods in the Highlands and rough seas along the coast.
“It is caused by downward oscillation of moisture from the equator, blocked to mainland PNG area due to its orographic (mountains),” he said. “The development of the moistures may result in heavy rain causing floods over the weekend.
“Strong winds to gale force winds warning is effective (today) and expected to continue over the weekend and part of next week.”
Maiha said the pressure from the southeast had drawn moisture from the north towards the PNG mainland. “That is at the speed of 19 knots at 38km per hour in Port Moresby while surging 16 knots at 12km per hour in the Highlands areas of 3000 feet (900m), including Chimbu,” he said.
He said PNG was mountainous, the moisture developing there would come as rain and so heavy flooding was expected.
He warned people of flooding, landslides, falling trees and power line and poles.
“Coastal areas can expect very strong winds causing rough and high seas,” Maiha said.
The warning was southern PNG and Indonesian border through Torres Strait and Western to Gulf.
“It also extends to Central and western Milne Bay Islands, including Finschhaffen through Vitiaz Damiper Strait to Siassi Islands and West New Britain, Coral Sea, Solomon Sea and south of Bismack Seas.”