PNG Weather office monitors low pressure systems

The Papua New Guinea National Weather Service is monitoring two systems which may develop into tropical depressions and affect the country.

One is in the Coral Sea at the tip of Queensland and the other is over the Solomon Islands, which are developing into low pressure systems. The system over the Solomon Islands is likely to move into the southeastern Solomon Sea and may form into a tropical cyclone just outside the border with PNG tomorrow, (Wednesday), around 10am.

The system at the tip of Queensland will move into the Coral Sea and may form into a tropical cyclone on Thursday morning. Both systems are currently being monitored. Associated with these systems are expected heavy rainfall over the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Milne Bay Islands, Northern, Gulf and Central. 

Accompanying northwest monsoon surges over these areas should be expected throughout the rest of this week as the systems continue to evolve. As the northwest monsoon (wet) season peaks around February, statistics in the past show that most tropical cyclones form during January and February.

The weather office has advised sea travellers to heed warnings and monitor weather updates.