Tropical Cyclone “Ruby” makes landfall in New Caledonia, heading toward New Zealand

After moving over New Caledonia, the storm will head toward New Zealand.

"Ruby’s path to New Zealand is complicated – it’s likely to get swallowed up by a ‘mega’ low in the New Zealand area which will contribute to more wind and rain in the NZ area, but not as a direct single storm moving in. In fact, the center of Ruby’s remnants may well miss New Zealand out to the east," WeatherWatch meteorologists said.

The New Zealand MetService has issued an Orange alert for heavy rain.

"A complex low pressure system affects central and northern New Zealand through to early Thursday, delivering rain to many places," MetService said.²

Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches are in force for parts of the North Island, northwest Tasman, Canterbury, and Marlborough. Note, winds may approach severe gale over Auckland, Buller, and northern Westland.

People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made or further areas are added.

Impact: Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

• Area: Coromandel Peninsula
• Period: 8 hours from 20:00 LT on December 14 – 04:00 on December 15
• Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Expect 60 to 80 mm (2.4 – 3.1 inches) of rain to accumulate, especially about the ranges. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h (0.4 – 0.8 inches per hour) about the ranges.

 

• Area: Bay of Plenty
• Period: 19 hours from 20:00 LT on December 14 – 15:00 on December 15
• Forecast: Expect a further 70 to 100 mm (2.7 – 4 inches) of rain, but 150 to 180 mm (5.9 – 7 inches) about inland areas east of Whakatane, on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 20 to 30 mm/h (0.8 – 1.2 inches per hour) in the east Wednesday morning.

 

• Area: Gisborne from Tokomaru Bay northwards
• Period: 17 hours from 23:00 LT on December 14 – 16:00 on December 15
• Forecast: Expect 120 to 160 mm (4.7 – 6.3 inches) of rain about and north of Ruatoria, and 70 to 100 mm (2.7 – 4 inches) from south of Ruatoria to Tokomaru Bay. Peak intensities of 15 to 25 mm/hr (0.6 – 1 inches per hour) in the north.

 

• Area: Tasman, about and west of Motueka
• Period: 15 hours from 23:00 LT on December 14 to 14:00 on December 15
• Forecast: Expect 80 to 100 mm (3 – 4 inches) of rain. Peak intensities of 10 to 20 mm/h (0.4 – 0.8 inches per hour).

 

• Area: Eastern Marlborough south of Blenheim
• Period: 19 hours from 23:00 LT on December 14 – 18:00 on December 15
• Forecast: Expect 100 to 180 mm (4 – 7 inches) of rain to accumulate, especially about Kaikoura Coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h (0.6 – 1 inches per hour).

 

• Area: Canterbury Plains north of Ashburton, including the foothills and Christchurch
• Period: 24 hours from 03:00 LT on December 15 to 03:00 on December 16
• Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Expect 100 to 140 mm (4 – 5.5 inches) of rain to accumulate, especially north of Christchurch. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h (0.6 – 1 inches per hour). Note, heavy rain is expected to ease north of Christchurch after midnight Wednesday.

Image credit: JMA/Himawari-8, Zoom Earth, TW. Acquired at 04:30 UTC on December 14, 2021

References:

¹ Tropical Cyclone Ruby makes landfall in New Caledonia as strong Category 2 storm – WeatherWatch

² Heavy Rain Warning – Orange – NZ MetService

Featured image credit: JMA/Himawari-8, Zoom Earth, TW. Acquired at 04:30 UTC on December 14, 2021