Tropical Cyclone Tam triggers weather alerts across New Zealand’s North Island
Tropical Cyclone Tam, named by the Fiji Meteorological Service on April 15, 2025, is moving southeast and will bring severe weather to New Zealand’s Upper North Island beginning April 16. The center of the storm is expected to remain west of Cape Reinga, but heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous coastal conditions are forecast to impact North Island in the days ahead.
Satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Tam at 18:20 UTC on April 15, 2025. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
Tropical Cyclone Tam formed between New Caledonia and New Zealand on April 15 as the fourth named storm of the 2024–25 South Pacific cyclone season, following Pita, Rae, and Seru.
Tam is currently located about 400 km (250 miles) east of New Caledonia and is moving southeast toward New Zealand’s North Island. Although it is not forecast to make landfall and is expected to be reclassified to a subtropical depression on Thursday, its outer bands will bring severe weather conditions to the Upper North Island from April 16 to 17.
As of 13:13 UTC on April 15, Tam was classified as a Category 1 tropical cyclone with a minimum central pressure of 988 hPa, moving southeast at 37 km/h (23 mph). It had a 10-minute maximum sustained wind speed of 84 km/h (52 mph), forecast to decrease to 55 km/h (34 mph) by April 16 as the system weakens to a tropical low.
Weather warnings have been issued for Northland, Auckland, and Aotea / Great Barrier Island and they are expected to be upgraded as the system approaches. Large waves are expected along the east coast from Northland to Gisborne, with swells reaching 6 m (20 feet) on April 17.
According to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, the Auckland Harbour Bridge may be closed or have speed limits reduced at short notice. Motorists are advised to exercise caution. Flooding is possible, along with damage to trees, power lines, and unsecured structures.
Auckland Transport advised that public transport could be disrupted due to increased risks on the roads. An Orange Heavy Rain Warning will come into effect for Northland at 03:00 local time (LT) on April 17. An Orange Strong Wind Warning will begin in Northland, Auckland, and Great Barrier Island at 15:00 LT on April 17.
The Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau, Rotorua, Kaimāī Range, Waikato, Waitomo, and Buller are also expected to experience impacts from the storm.
Heavy Rain Watches have been issued from Auckland south to the Bay of Plenty, in effect from 03:00 local time on April 17 to 12:00 on April 18. Strong Wind Watches are in place from Coromandel to Taumarunui, valid from 00:00 on April 16 to 06:00 on April 17.
Authorities have stated that the Orange Warnings are likely to be upgraded to Red Warnings.
Residents are advised to prepare their homes for the storm and to place garbage bins out on collection day rather than the night before to reduce the risk of them being blown away and causing damage.
Reference:
1 Gale Warning 011 – Fiji Meteorological Service – April 15, 2025
2 Weather: Forecasters upgrade severe storm heading towards New Zealand to tropical cyclone – The New Zealand Herald – April 15, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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