Less than two weeks after Auckland was hit by historic levels of rain, which killed four people, caused widespread flooding, landslides and a clean-up bill in the hundreds of millions of dollars, residents have now been asked to prepare for further bad weather after it was forecasted that the most serious storm to impact the country this century will hit in coming days.
Roughly one cyclone affects New Zealand each year. However, MetService said that the characteristics and structure of any tropical cyclone will change dramatically by the time it reaches New Zealand, and it will almost certainly be re-classified as an ex-tropical cyclone.
Emergency Management in the capital said that it would partner with MetService to track the storm, dubbed Cyclone Gabrielle and urged residents to check in with neighbours, family and friends who might need help preparing for the storm.
Although Cyclone Gabrielle is currently sitting in the Coral Sea, it is predicted to move south toward Aoetearoa, New Zealand, over the next few days and near the North Island on Monday. When it does, forecasters said it would bring heavy rain to the upper North Island, including Auckland, and it would cause severe gales, large waves and storm surges.
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New Zealand weather forecaster WeatherWatch.co.nz said the cyclone, which will most likely become a Category 3 cyclone this weekend, will reach the country between Sunday and Tuesday. Category 3 storms have winds of 119-157 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 224 kph.
“If this current modelling comes true, this will likely be the most serious storm to impact New Zealand this century – especially with Auckland being in the mix for a potential direct hit,” WeatherWatch.co.nz said Wednesday, adding that the potential weather event would be concerning even if had Auckland not recently experienced serious flooding.
“Re-classification as an ex-tropical cyclone does not necessarily mean the system has weakened,” MetService added.
Story was adapted from Reuters.
