Remnants of Cyclone Funa to hit New Zealand
New Zealand’s North Island is expected to catch the tail end of downgraded tropical Cyclone Funa. Many parts will see some heavy rain arrive on a strong and gusty wind.
The New Zealand Metservice has issued a severe weather warning for potentially damaging winds for a time between Taranaki and Nelson. Exposed hills and coast could see winds of 50 mph (80 km/h), with gusts of 70 mph (113 km/h). Forecasters also warn of a storm surge across the northern coasts as the deep depression continues moving south.
Cyclone Funa originated over the warm seas around Vanuatu and has moved south between New Zealand and Norfolk Island. Heavy and persistent rain has started in Northland and is expected to spread to Auckland, the Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne through today.
Although flood watches are in place, the heavy rain will bring some welcome relief to the North Island as the country has been experiencing one of the driest summers in a decade. The fire risk is currently high for the Bay of Plenty and along the east coast of both North and South Islands. There have been numerous scrub fires on the Coromandel Peninsula as well as in Wellington and Marlborough. National Rural Fire officers expect the forecast rain to reduce much of the fire risk.
The tropical depression will move further south by Tuesday to give some rainfall to most parts of New Zealand before some brighter and drier weather follows for the rest of the week.
