Tropical depression TD01F threatens Cook Islands and French Polynesia

Tropical depression TD01F has formed in the North Cook Islands and is moving southeast, posing a threat to the Southern Cook Islands and the Austral Islands in French Polynesia. The system is expected to intensify and may develop into a category 1 tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours.

In the Cook Islands, cyclone alerts are in force for areas including Palmerston, Aitutaki, Mauke, Rarotonga, and Mangaia. Forecasters warn of gale-force winds with gusts potentially reaching 93 km/h, heavy rain, squally thunderstorms, and high seas. The depression is currently located near the Suwarrow atoll.

The system is projected to move toward the Austral Islands, specifically near Rurutu and Tubuai, between Sunday and Monday. While it may lose some intensity by then, winds could still exceed 80 km/h. Additionally, rain bands are already affecting the Society Islands, including Tahiti and Moorea, which have been placed under orange weather alerts.