A storm in the tropics (over southern Vanuatu) is unofficially a tropical cyclone this morning - but won’t likely be named due to it’s very short life (a bit like a surfer riding a wave for 1 second before falling off…do you count that?)

 

 

 

Fiji Met Service indicates the chances of it being named as a tropical cyclone today as “low to moderate”.

 

The storm’s current status doesn’t matter much though - as it will be morphing into a much larger centre as it moves into NZ from Wed to Sun - and as we said yesterday it runs into powerful high pressure (that high may grow so large east of NZ it makes for even windier and wetter weather in some parts of NZ).

 

 

 

Little has changed in previous days.

TUESDAY: We expect ESE winds to build today - becoming brisk in exposed places later but not problematic for most. High cloud thickens. (ESE winds are fairly sheltered in Auckland thanks to the Coromandel Peninsula)

WEDNESDAY: Winds shift from ESE to Easterly (stronger direction for Auckland) and winds then also intensify with some rain developing.  GALES LIKELY LATELY.

 

THURSDAY: ENE winds strengthen and may be SUSTAINED at gale force (or near it) for a time with gusts anywhere from 90 to 120km/h in the city and region (SEVERE GALE).  RAIN HEAVY at times with localised flood/slip risks.

 

FRIDAY: Wind and rain gradually eases back.

 

WEEKEND: Instability worth monitoring for rain/thunderstorms. Wind looks likely to be less of an issue.

 

 

Remains MODERATE-HIGH for weather related outages region wide - with hills and eastern coastal areas most exposed.