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Cyclone Ian lashes Pacific islands

ABOVE: Cyclone Ian slams into Tonga

TORONTO – Though hurricane season may be over for us in the northern hemisphere, in the southern hemisphere the clouds are still churning.

Tropical Cyclone Ian has been intensifying in the Pacific Ocean over the past few days. As of Friday morning, the storm, located about 687 km east of Suvi, Fiji, was producing maximum sustained winds of 166 km/h with gusts of 204 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Ian as it approaches the Tonga Islands on Jan. 9. (NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team). NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team

Wave heights of 7 metres have been reported by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Warnings have been issued for several islands in the region.

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Ian is moving to the southeast at 11.1 km/h.

With warmer ocean temperatures, the storm is expected to strengthen within the next 24 hours before starting to weaken in 72 hours.

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