Two tropical cyclones potentially developing, impact to NZ ‘relatively low’

Two tropical cyclones are potentially developing in the South Pacific this week, but MetService says the risk of directly impacting New Zealand is relatively low.

“However, there is a lot to happen before the [cyclone] tracks become certain, so things could change,” MetService said in a tweet.

As regions around the country continue to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle, parts of the upper South Island and North Island are being warned to brace for more heavy rain.

MetService has issued a severe weather watch for some parts of the upper South Island and the North Island, but it is the flood-ravaged areas of Gisborne and the Coromandel Peninsula that are most at risk.

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“Surface flooding is not an unreasonable expectation as another complex trough moves through the North Island,” MetService meteorologist Alex Holden said.

“It’s already really wet, so this will just be piling it on.”

From 3am on Monday through to 6am on Tuesday, periods of heavy rain with the possibility of thunderstorms are set to hit Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards.

“There’s still some uncertainly around whether the watch will have to be extended further south, but we’re predicting that the majority of the impacts will be seen in northern areas,” Holden said.

The rain will then travel on to the Coromandel Peninsula, with MetService issuing a heavy rain watch from 9am on Monday through to 3am on Tuesday.

These rain watches are the result of a new tropical low forming to the north-east of New Zealand by Fiji, which MetService is warning could develop into another cyclone.

“As things stand, the new tropical low is sideswiping us, hitting Gisborne and the Coromandel.

“It’s bringing with it a raft of moist warm air, which is clipping these parts of the country and exciting the rain totals.”

Another cyclone forming would be tough news those in regions that were hit by Cyclone Gabrielle or by the flooding on Auckland Anniversary weekend.

Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) is encouraging Aucklanders to make the most of the clear weather to continue with clean-up efforts, ahead of more potential rain on the way.

“Get your household ready for this evening’s rain,” AEM warned in a tweet posted on Sunday morning.

Twelve people stayed at civil defence centres around Auckland last night, according to AEM.

Power has been partially restored in Karekare and Vector is continuing to work to restore the rest of the network as quickly as possible.

There are intermittent power outages in Piha with partial power restored. Most of Muriwai has now been reconnected.

Welfare drops via helicopter will continue this week (weather dependent) to deliver water, fuel, food and other essential items, AEM said.

In Karekare, a welfare mission is being planned for Monday, including trauma counselling, with Te Whatu Ora and Salvation Army.

Auckland Transport urged Aucklanders to avoid traveling this weekend to communities with significant road closures still in place, and particularly along the West Coast of Auckland.

Access to Karekare, Piha, Te Henga Bethells Beach, Muriwai, Anawhata, Huia, Little Huia and Whatipū remains compromised.