Tropical depression TD04F which has already brought bad weather to parts of the Pacific developed into a tropical cyclone on Friday evening. Photo: Niue Meteorological Service
The acting head of Fiji's Meteorological Service says the South Pacific's first cyclone coming two and half months into the season is not unusual.
Category one tropical cyclone Pita last week was the first cyclone this season and was expected to bring severe weather to Niue.
The season starts in November and continues until the end of April.
"January is supposed to be our peak time of the season. We have seen in seasons in the past [the first] cyclone has formed as late as February, so this is nothing unusual," Fiji's Meteorological Service's Amit Singh said.
He said there is still time for more with three and a half months remaining in the season.
The risk of cyclones in Pacific Islands close to the Coral Sea could increase as a La Niña watch remains in place.
La Niña refers to a cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean, particularly near and east of the international date line.
It's the opposite to El Niño which was underway this time last year.
Singh said the South Pacific Convergence Zone had been very active this season.
Fiji has been battered by heavy rain and flash flooding, with Nadi town being impassable on Christmas Day.
Singh said four tropical disturbances had formed around Fiji since Christmas, with the last one forming into tropical cyclone Pita.
"We've seen from the beginning of the season there is a lot of rain happening here in Fiji and also the nearby island countries."
He said in Fiji people are very aware the nation is still in the middle of a cyclone season and are on the lookout for weather updates.
