A tropical depression that developed north of the Vanuatu islands has become a category 1 tropical cyclone, but the storm will not hit Samoa.

The Samoa Meteorological Office, in an online update to the public, says the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre at Nadi upgraded the tropical depression to a tropical cyclone and named it Tropical Cyclone Rita.

“Tropical Cyclone Rita category 1 latest position at 8:00 am this morning (Monday) lies near 11.5 south, 169.4 east, or about 912 km north of Port Vila (Vanuatu) or approximately 2,143 km west, northwest from Apia (Samoa). Tropical Cyclone Rita moved south, southeast at 08 knots with sustained winds of 40 knots or 74 km/h near the centre,” the MET Office stated. 

“All global models predicted the southward movement of TC Rita across Vanuatu islands and intensify to category 2 for the next 24 to 48 hours.”

While Samoa will not be affected by TC Rita, the MET Office said residents in Samoa can expect some sunshine throughout the week as their projections for heavy rains in the country has now been cancelled.

“Which benefit the island with some sunshine throughout the week. Some cumulonimbus cloud if not thunderstorm activities may be generated in the highlands in the afternoon with brief moderate falls likely.” 

The MET Office added that there will be pressure within the vicinity of the Tasman Sea near the islands and direct weak trough further north and east, to bring southerly wind which will change by Thursday.

The country is also projected to have stabilizing weather condition on the weekend, while Thursday and Friday will experience some cool mornings which may drive cool air mass.