tropical cyclone winston bears down on fiji – 140 knot winds forecasted

February 19, 2016 | gcaptain

by Fred Pickhardt

TC Winston continues to strengthen and at 06UTC 19th was located about 330 NM east of Suva, Fiji and was moving west at 12 knots.  Max winds are estimated to by near 125 knots,  Winston remains in favorable conditions for further development peaking at 130-140 knots during the next 12-18 hours. The center of Winston will reach or be very near Fiji about 12Z-18Z 20th.NOAA IR Satillite Image 1530Z 19 Feb. 2016

Recent satellite images have Winston at Dvorak T number 7.0 suggesting max winds of 140 knots at 15Z  19 Feb 2016!

JTWC Forecast Track TC Winston