7 Feb 2012

Approaching Vanuatu, Jasmine upgraded to Category Three Cyclone

2:39 pm on 7 February 2012

Tropical Cyclone Jasmine near Vanuatu has been upgraded to category three and is expected to bring gale force winds and heavy rain to some islands in the group later today.

Islands in Malampa and Shefa provinces are expected to be most affected as it draws nearer to Vanuatu early this evening.

A senior forecaster at the Vanuatu Meteorological Service, Moira Yerta, says Jasmine is about 680 kilometres west of Efate and the capital Port Vila.

"It's taking an east south east track. We are expecting it to be about a hundred kilometres west of Efate at about 5 or 6 o'clock this afternoon. It's likely going to cross over between Erromango and Tanna."

Moira Yerta says Jasmine is likely to lose intensity at it hits cooler waters.