Cyclone Hale's predicted position off the North Island on Wednesday morning. Photo / Windy.com
The first tropical cyclone of 2023 in the South Pacific has been named this afternoon and is expected to hit New Zealand early this week, wreaking more havoc across the North Island.
Cyclone Hale was located southwest of New Caledonia at midday today and is expected to approach the northeast of the North Island on Monday and Tuesday.
It will then likely pass southwards over or near the eastern North Island on Wednesday, before moving away to the east.
“At this stage, there is some uncertainty regarding the timing and movement of Cyclone Hale, but it will likely bring a period of heavy rain, gale or severe gale winds and hazardous coastal conditions to parts of northern and central New Zealand from Monday evening through until Thursday morning,” said a Metservice spokesperson.
People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts from MetService as more Severe Weather Warnings and Watches will be issued for weather associated with Cyclone Hale closer to the time.
Tropical Cyclone Hale, the first tropical cyclone of the 2023 season in the South Pacific was named today.
— MetService (@MetService) January 8, 2023
As it sinks south it will lose its tropical characteristics but remain an active weather system for us in New Zealand
Find the latest forecasts
at https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/MlTCJSfCr2
Thames-Coromandel District Civil Defence Controller, Garry Towler says the Coromandel’s eastern seaboard is in for a hammering early next week.
“We are not sugar coating this one, it will hit hard and likely cause coastal damage as well as the usual slips, surface flooding and power outages”.
Another ex-tropical system will dump over 230mm of rain in 24hrs with easterly gales and gusts exceeding 110km/hr, impacts will be felt from Monday evening, peaking during Tuesday and passing through by Wednesday afternoon, the council said in a Facebook post this evening.
“The main areas of concern are erosion and inundation at Brophy’s and Buffalo beaches in Whitianga, erosion and structure damage across beaches all the way down to Whangamatā,” said Towler.
The Council’s coastal scientists forecast storm surges of up to 30cm or more above the three high tides over this time.
“Everyone on the Coromandel, especially on the eastern side needs to stay up to date and be somewhere safe by Monday night, ready to ride this out for at least 24hrs,” Towler said.
Fresh severe weather watches were also issued across the bottom of the North Island today, causing Cook Strait ferry services to cancel sailings and Gisborne’s wastewater system to overflow.
And holidaymakers heading home today should brace for delays on road choke points.
A fresh heavy rain watch has been issued for Wairarapa and the eastern hills of Wellington until 7pm tonight.
Rainfall in these areas may also approach warning criteria, mainly about the hills and ranges, says MetService.
Cook Strait ferry service Bluebridge has been forced to cancel six of its sailings today due to strong winds and large swells.
Three services from Wellington and three from Picton were affected.
Two Interislander Kaiarahi services at 1pm from Wellington and 6.30pm from Picton have also been cancelled.
“We’re really sorry for the disruption this will cause to our customers’ travel plans but ensuring the safety of our customers and crew is critical. Thank you for your understanding,” said a spokesperson for Bluebridge.
More wet weather in store across the North Island.
— MetService (@MetService) January 7, 2023
Severe Weather Watches issued for parts of the North Island for today and also through into Monday and Tuesday for some parts.
Find the full details at https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 pic.twitter.com/jOEjMxLTiy
Gisborne District Council on Sunday morning posted on Facebook that 40mm of rain fell in the city overnight resulting in the wastewater system being flooded.
“To prevent sewage from overflowing back into homes and onto roads, causing a significant potential health risk on properties, the emergency sewer valve at the Gladstone Road Bridge was opened at approximately 10pm Saturday 7 January into the Tauranganui River.”
Although the discharge was highly diluted with rainwater, the council is advising no swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in rivers or nearby beaches until at least five days after the valve is closed and warning signs are removed, due to there being a risk to health.
Periods of heavy rain are also expected to fall in the ranges of Hawke’s Bay and the Tararua District until midnight tonight.
Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria in these areas, especially south of the Napier-Taupo Road.
MetService says heavy rain is expected to return to the Hawke’s Bay region on Tuesday. It’s likely a warning or watch will be issued for this next period of rain closer to the time.
Sunday's emojicast:
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 7, 2023
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🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️
🌧️🌧️🌧️
🌧️🌧️
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🌤️☁️
🌤️☁️
🌤️🌤️🌤️ 🌧️
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The bad weather blighting our summer is set to continue next week with rain forecast for much of the country - including another deluge expected to hit the top of the North Island on Tuesday.
A 24-hour heavy rain watch has been placed over the Coromandel Peninsula and Gisborne regions from 8pm on Monday to Tuesday evening.
MetService advises that rainfall amounts may exceed warning criteria in these areas, and the heavy rain watches will probably be upgraded to warnings closer to the time.
Meanwhile, traffic is expected to build as holidaymakers travel home from their Christmas holiday destinations today before returning to the office tomorrow.
Traffic is expected to be busy southbound on SH1 between Warkworth and Puhoi today from 2pm to 6pm.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises road users to allow extra time for their journeys or consider traveling outside this period and to drive to the conditions.
NZTA suggests commuters should consider using SH16 via Helensville for journeys from north of Wellsford.
Traffic delays are expected this afternoon northbound on SH1 between Bombay and Manukau also due to holiday congestion.
There are no detours in place and NZTA asks commuters to drive to the conditions.
In the Coromandel, traffic congestion continues on SH25 to Te Rerenga as a temporary speed restriction of 30 km/h remains in place after a slip earlier in the week.
NZTA asks commuters to take care when driving through this area.
Earlier today, emergency services responded to a two-vehicle collision near Timaru where seven patients were treated.
A Police spokesperson confirmed that they were called to the intersection of The Avenue and SH 1 at Pareora near Timaru around 11.30am this morning.
The Northbound lane was briefly blocked but has since been cleared.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed that four ambulance vehicles attended the incident with seven patients treated.
Four patients were transported to a medical facility.
SH7 is also currently closed between the intersections of School Rd and Balmoral Station Rd in the Hurunui District, Canterbury after a serious two-vehicle crash.
A Police spokesperson said, “a horse float was involved in the crash and at this time the horses are being assessed by a vet”.
It is understood that one person has been seriously injured.
Diversions are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
Helen and Ian Burgess, Todd Clark, Sandra Matthews, Dr Beata Bukosa, and Damien O'Connor.