Tropical Cyclone “Gabrielle” forms in the Coral Sea, forecast to rapidly intensify before moving toward New Zealand

Tropical Cyclone “Gabrielle” forms in the Coral Sea, forecast to rapidly intensify before moving toward New Zealand

Tropical Cyclone “Gabrielle” has formed in the Coral Sea as the 3rd named storm of the 2023 Australian region cyclone season. The forecast track takes it near Norfolk Island as a severe category 3 before moving toward New Zealand. The cyclone could bring more rounds of heavy rain to parts of North Island, New Zealand, particularly the Auckland area where extremely heavy and record-breaking rainfall amounts were registered recently.

Record-breaking rain for Gisborne, New Zealand

Record-breaking rain for Gisborne, New Zealand

After a run of particularly wet weather for New Zealand’s Gisborne region, one location has beaten its record for the highest January rainfall since 1937.

Rising temperature at Ruapehu’s Crater Lake, New Zealand

Rising temperature at Ruapehu’s Crater Lake, New Zealand

Recent activity at New Zealand’s Ruapehu volcano has shown an increase in the temperature of the summit Crater Lake, known as Te Wai ā-moe, rising to more than 30 °C (86 °F) and consistent with heat flow into the lake of about 150-200 MW. Despite this, the level of volcanic unrest activity remains low, with monitoring indicators remaining within the normal range for this type of activity. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1 and the Aviation Color Code remains Green, indicating a low risk of eruption.

New Zealand bracing for severe weather as Cyclone Hale approaches the country

New Zealand bracing for severe weather as Cyclone Hale approaches the country

Tropical Cyclone “Hale” formed on January 7, 2023, as the first named storm of the 2022/23 South Pacific cyclone season. The system tracked into New Zealand’s area of responsibility on January 8 and was reclassified as a tropical low by New Zealand’s MetService.

More than 600 aftershocks following M5.6 earthquake beneath Lake Taupō, New Zeland

More than 600 aftershocks following M5.6 earthquake beneath Lake Taupō, New Zeland

More than 600 aftershocks have been recorded following the M5.6 earthquake beneath Lake Taupō, New Zealand on November 30, 2022 — one of the largest recorded in Lake Taupō region. No further unusual activity has been observed and the minor volcanic unrest at Taupō volcano continues. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.