The Samoa Meteorological Office has forecast a wet weekend for the country and issued a heavy rain advisory.

A convergence zone located north of the islands is being monitored by the S.M.O. and has been associated with clouds and showers embedded with thunderstorms. 

“This system is expected to descend over the islands later in the afternoon with scattered showers and heavy falls possible,” states a weather bulletin issued by the S.M.O. at 5am local time. “Therefore, the heavy rain advisory remains for today and is highly likely to upgrade as a warning towards the evening or sooner if condition warrants.”

According to the S.M.O., the bad weather is likely to trigger heavy downpour of rain with poor visibility, gusty winds, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways.

The convergence zone comes just as a high pressure system relaxes and migrates further south eastward of the country. But the S.M.O. says that due to the easing of the high pressure system, the wind advisory which has been in effect for a couple of days was cancelled early Friday morning though the small craft advisory remains in effect.

“The latest observations showed southeast winds of 35-45 kph to the eastern shores and expected to slowly decrease strength as the high pressure system moves along,” added the S.M.O. “The cancellation of the wind advisory is prompt to reflect this situation. Waves and swell heights remain above the advisory threshold within the range of 2.5-3 meters.

“The movement of the high pressure will also decline swell activities later in the evening. Therefore, small craft advisory remains for today.”

The S.M.O. stated that it will continue to monitor and update the public where necessary including the scheduled 5am and 5pm update.