South Pacific: Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle heads for Norfolk Island and New Zealand
The South Pacific Cyclone Season has become active with Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle expected to pass right over Norfolk Island before impacting the North Island of New Zealand.
Published 2 years ago
The first tropical cyclone of the 2022/23 cyclone season in Queensland waters, Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle formed in the Coral Sea and was officially declared by Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology early on Wednesday afternoon February 8, 2023.
Gabrielle was upgraded to a severe Category 3 cyclone overnight February 9/10, 2023 and is expected to pass right over Norfolk Island on Saturday evening and then impact the North Island of New Zealand on Sunday and Monday next week.
Gale Force Winds for Norfolk Island
Gale-force winds and high waves are expected to develop ahead of the cyclone as it approaches Norfolk Island on Saturday February 11. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said that while Gabrielle was not directly affecting the mainland coast of Australia, exposed eastern coastal areas could experience large waves and fresh to strong winds.
The BOM said that as the cyclone centre approaches Norfolk Island on Saturday evening, very sestructive winds with gusts to 205 kilometres per hour may develop over the island. The winds may ease for short period of time, as the eye of the system passes over but may return suddenly from the opposite direction.
Abnormally high tides are expected along with very heavy surf which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion is possible. Heavy rain is also likely to impact the island.
- Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to track right over Norfolk Island.
Significant Weather Event for New Zealand
New Zealand’s Metservice says TC Gabrielle could be a widespread and significant weather event for central and northern parts of the North Island, which is still recovering from the aftermath of ex TC Hale which affected the same region.
MetService is expecting strong winds, heavy rain and large swells from Sunday 12th onwards and warned the damage caused by wind gusts could be widespread, stretching the length of the North Island, and could cause power outages, topple trees and impact buildings.
However, the severity of the weather and the areas affected was highly dependent on the path of the cyclone.
WeatherWatch, a weather news outlet, said the cyclone could be one of the “most serious storms of the century”.
Forecaster Philip Duncan said: “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.”
- The expected track of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle as it approaches the North Island of New Zealand.
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Related News:
- Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle Set to Bring Dangerous Weather to North Island (NZ Herald)
- Direct Hit from Cyclone Gabrielle Looking Likely (Sunlive.com)
- Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Watches in Place for North Island (Radio New Zealand)
- New Zealand: Cyclone Gabrielle Devastates Coastal Areas of the North Island (Noonsite)
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Related Links:
Related to following destinations: Australia, Kingston, New South Wales, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Island (New Zealand)
Related to the following Cruising Resources: Hurricanes and Tropical Cyclones, Weather
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