Visible imagery from NASA’s Aqua satellite revealed the hint of an eye developing in the center of Tropical Cyclone Pola. Warnings in the Southern Pacific Ocean have been posted for Tonga.
The Polynesian kingdom of Tonga consists of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited. Forecasts are managed by the Tonga Meteorological Service or TMS.
On February 28, the TMS noted that a tropical cyclone warning is in force for Tonga, with a hurricane force winds warning for Tele-Ki-Tonga and Tele-Ki-Tokelau coastal waters. A strong wind warning remains inforce for Tongatapu and ‘eua land areas and coastal waters. A heavy damaging swell remains inforce for Ha’apai, Tongatapu, ‘eua, Tele-ki-tonga and Tele-ki-tokelau coastal waters.
Read more at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Image: On Feb. 28, 2019 at 0125 UTC (Feb. 27 at 8:25 p.m. EDT) the MODIS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible light image of Tropical Cyclone Pola in the South Pacific. The image showed the hint of an eye. (Credit: NASA/NRL)