The Samoa Meteorology Division has warned of unstable wet conditions continuing across the country as a high pressure system in the southeast continues to bring unpredictable weather.

In a public weather advisory issued on Wednesday evening, the Meteorology Division said the high pressure system is located further southeast and is generating moderate to fresh South-easterly winds covering most marine waters.

“Currently, the islands may expect waves and swell to remain above the advisory threshold as moderate southeast winds persist to affect our marine waters,” reads the public weather advisory. 

“Expect conditions to ease by tomorrow [Thursday] as the high-pressure system continues to migrate eastward. 

“Unstable and wet weather conditions continue to persist across Samoa for tonight into tomorrow as a trough of low pressure now lingers within the vicinity of the group, while the convergence zone continues to move further west.”

The Meteorology Division said it is forecasting the continuation of heavy rain and thunderstorms. 

“Periods of isolated rain with brief heavy falls and thunderstorms affect the islands for tonight through tomorrow. 

“Therefore, the heavy rain warning and flood advisory remain valid for all of Samoa.”

The bad weather will result in heavy downpour with poor visibility, gusty winds, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways.

Other impacts include strong currents as well as very rough seas.

Looking ahead, the Meteorology Division projects that weather conditions will ease on Thursday when a trough of the low-pressure system breaks forcibly into two parts by two ridges of the high-pressure system from the northeast and southwest.

“The other fragment shifts westward whereas the rest descend southeastward. The high-pressure system placed over the Australian region as of this afternoon has the potential to re-introduce the trade-wind flow within the weekend,” the forecast discussion reads.

“But before it takes place a convergence zone suggested by models to landfall by Friday night into Saturday with some unsettled conditions. 

“Windy conditions may occur by Sunday if the mentioned high-pressure system maintains its current movement and intensity as predicted.

“Then all valid warnings and advisories may be canceled before Thursday and likely to be reissued within the weekend.”