The Samoa Meteorological Division has warned that heavy rain and gusty wind conditions will continue overnight for the country.

Bursts of heavy rain led to some rivers overflowing in Apia on Saturday, roadside pools of water and weekend sports being held in highly unfavourable conditions.

The notoriously dangerous Tulaele ford claimed another vehicle after a late-model Hyundai attempted to cross the water rushing across the slippery access road at about 5pm. 

The ford has caused several vehicle write-offs over the years, including buses and taxis. Local residents have complained that warnings about weather conditions are inadequate and so too is the simple chain prohibiting vehicles from passing the ford during periods of heavy rain which drivers simply remove. 

"Please drive with extra care at alternative fords and routes, as we continue to observe persistent rainfall," the Disaster Management Office said in a statement on Saturday.

Issuing its severe weather information bulletin 5pm Saturday (Samoa Time), the local authorities say an active convergence zone remains over Samoa, which is triggering these weather conditions which will continue overnight.

“The aforementioned system is expected to maintain heavy rain and strong to gusty periods across the island by tonight (Saturday) through tomorrow (Sunday),” stated the bulletin. “Current wave observations show slightly increasing trend and predicted to elevate above 3 meters as the fresh to strong northerly wind moves near west of Savai’i by tonight. 

“These conditions warrant the validity of all warnings and the advisory that have already in place this morning.”

Consequently, the Meteorological Division has issued a wind advisory for all of Samoa together with the heavy raining, flooding and marine alert.

The Meteorological Division further adds that from Sunday through to Friday in the coming week, a low-pressure system is expected to materialise over the east of the Fiji Islands by Sunday while a convergence zone extends towards Samoa, maintaining wet and breezy weather conditions over the forecast zone.

"Winds of 45–55 kph are predicted to linger towards Monday while the low intensifies and move southward near Tonga," reads the advisory.

"The blocking ridge of high pressure will sustain the southward movement of the low-pressure system which model consensus states to develop into a tropical depression in the next 12–24hrs. 

“Expect the dominating Easterlies to prevail in the latter part of the outlook period due to the blocking high centred further Southeast."

The potential impact of the weather include heavy downpours with poor visibility, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways. 

Other impacts include river overflows and landslides as well as strong and gusty winds with strong currents with rough to very rough seas.