A new cyclone forming in the Coral Sea in the Pacific could
track towards New Zealand, bringing the same conditions with
it as the recent Cyclone Evan, forecasters say.
The cyclone, which has yet to be formally named, was
discovered by the Fijian meteorological service.
WeatherWatch.co.nz weather analyst Richard Green said it was
expected to hit New Caledonia by Monday and then could take
one of two paths.
"It could tract pretty quickly to the north of New Zealand
and that will be due around the fifth or sixth of January.''
But he said it looked like it would break up like Cyclone
Evan did as it tore a path through the Pacific two weeks ago.
"It will bring a lot of humidity and low cloud.''
He said it was very difficult to know exactly which path it
would move along. The weather pattern would become much
clearer in the next few days.
Once the storm officially becomes a cyclone, it would be
named Freda by either Australian or Fijian meteorological
services.
Earlier, WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said it was
still "50/50'' whether the cyclone would form into the size
of Evan and cause the same levels of destruction.
He said it had formed around 400km north east of Honiara in
the Solomon Islands.
"It's a very, very long way out still for us, but there are
increasing signs that this second cyclone is certainly going
to put the north of New Zealand again at some sort of threat
risk at the start of January.
"It's formed in a perfect place for cyclones - in the Coral
Sea, which is a breeding ground for them - it's a very, very
warm body of water off the Queensland coast towards Papua New
Guinea and the Solomons.''
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.