Tropical Cyclone Centre in Fiji says global models are showing signs that TD07F will be a cyclone in the next few days. Photo: Screengrab / zoom.earth
Global weather forecasting models predict that a tropical disturbance northeast of Vanuatu could turn into the first cyclone of the season.
The Tropical Cyclone Centre in Fiji has labelled the system TD07F.
Senior forecaster Sakeasi Waibuta at the Regional Sepcialised Meteorological Centre in Nadi told RNZ Pacific that despite the gloomy long-range predictions, they remain cautiously optimistic.
Waibuta said global models are showing signs that TD07F will be a cyclone in the next few days.
"We are closely monitoring the environment with what's happening with satellite imageries and all the observations that are coming in. At the moment, the system is struggling to intensify," he said.
"For the next 24 to 48 hours, we're keeping [TD07] to a low chance of becoming [a cyclone]."
The centre is also monitoring two other low pressure systems near Niue and the Cook Islands, but said the chances of them intensifying are low.
Up to nine tropical cyclones have been forecast for the southwest Pacific during the official cyclone season, which runs from November to April.
