Tropical Cyclone Lola, which is carrying fierce wind gusts of up to 260km/h, has become the earliest Category 5 tropical cyclone on record in the southern hemisphere.
Cyclone Lola was upgraded to Category 5 this morning, as it moves ominously towards Vanuatu and other islands in the Pacific.
The tropical cyclone season officially starts next week, on November 1, and a Category 5 storm has never materialised this early.
Vanuatu and its 320,000 residents are staring down the barrel of severe winds and heavy rain from Lola.
Lola is expected to hit about 10pm (local time) tonight.
At the moment, Lola's sustained wind speed is being measured at about 210km/h, with incredible gusts recorded up to 260km/h.
Lola is moving slowly, increasing the likelihood of intense damage as the cyclone lingers longer over Vanuatu.
Although there is some uncertainty about Lola's future track, models suggest it will hit Vanuatu late Tuesday into Wednesday.
As it tracks south, Lola could just miss Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, and it is expected to weaken by the time it heads towards New Caledonia.
New Zealand blasted with 'one of the strongest winds ever'
Cyclone Lola will most likely remain at least 1200 km away from the Australian mainland, far enough to have no impact.
