EXTENDED WEATHER DISCUSSION FOR TONGA ISSUED FROM NWFC FUA'AMOTU 
AT 5:00AM THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2012.

A WEAK TROUGH LIES SLOW MOVING ABOUT THE NIUAS AND VAVAU. THIS TROUGH WITH WEAK WINDS
THAT TRYING TO CHANGE IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION AND ISOBARS THAT CROSS IT SHALL NOT KINK
TOO SHARP. ASSOCIATED CLOUDS AND SHOWERS AFFECT THOSE ISLANDS NEARBY THE TROUGH AXIS.

LIGHT TO MODERATE EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS PREVAILING OVER MOST PARTS OF THE GROUP
AS THE HIGH PRESSURE CENTER TO SOUTH MOVES TOWARDS THE EAST. WHAT THIS SYSTEM DOES 
IS KEEPING THE TROUGH ABOUT VAVA'U AND NIUAS AWAY FROM HA'APAI, TONGATAPU AND 'EUA.

BY THE WEEKEND AN ACTIVE TROUGH WILL DEVELOP AND WOULD AFFECT THE WHOLE GROUP.


AA/EM/

DISCLAIMER


DUE TO THE CHANGING NATURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE TROPICS, THIS 
MEDIUM RANGE OUTLOOK IS FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED 
TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WOULD COMPROMISE SAFETY.