Tropical Cyclone Mal is brushing past Fiji this morning and it will affect the western side of the largest island Viti Levu as a severe category 3 storm, WeatherWatch said on Wednesday.
It was confirmed on Tuesday night that the tropical cyclone had intensified into a severe category 3 system while near the Pacific nation, despite earlier tracking indicating it may remain at category 2.
Despite this, Mal is tracking offshore to the west, sparing much of Fiji from the worst weather - "which is some good news", WeatherWatch head forecaster Philip Duncan said, noting the storm was on track to reach its strongest point at about 3am.
"For now, at least based on this modelling, it shows the worst of the weather offshore from Nadi... it's very close though. It only has to jog 50km or so eastwards and it's a very different story," Duncan said on Tuesday.
As of 8:30am on Wednesday (7:30am in Fiji), an update from WeatherWatch said the latest tracking continues to show the centre of Mal "hopefully" tracking further west of Viti Levu.
"It may still make a more direct hit and those in Fiji should pay very close attention to the Fiji Met Service and other weather providers across Tuesday and Wednesday," the update said.
"The storm exits Fiji on Wednesday and may bring extra humidity and dangerous seas to around Tonga. Otherwise, Mal should fall apart north of New Zealand."
By noon on Wednesday, it's hoped the worst of the storm will be clear of Viti Levu with reduced westerly winds, Duncan said.
The current forecast indicates the tropics won't be too active or stormy in the next week.
The South Pacific has already had two severe tropical cyclones this season, the earliest on record since reliable documenting began in 1969, according to NIWA's Island Climate Update.
