Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" forms near New Caledonia, heading toward New Zealand

Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" formed late Sunday, January 28, 2018 (UTC) just west of New Caledonia as the first named storm of the 2017/18 South Pacific tropical cyclone season. Fehi is expected to produce heavy rain over New Caledonia and the Vanuatu group today and tomorrow, with flooding expected over low lying areas.

This cyclone is expected to be declassified as a tropical cyclone over the next day or so as it moves southeast into the Tasman Sea and then re-intensify as it enters mid-latitudes. Fehi or its remnants are expected to reach South Island, New Zealand with very heavy rain and cross the country on February 1.

Heavy rain is already falling over New Caledonia, causing floods
As of 09:00 UTC on January 29, the center of Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" was located 372 km (231 miles) WNW of Noumea, New Caledonia and was tracking SSE at 20 km/h (12.6 mph) over the past six hours. Its maximum sustained winds at the time were 83 km/h (52 mph) and gusts to 102 km/h (63 mph).

Credit: UW-CIMSS

Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" RSMC Nadi forecast track at 07:24 UTC on January 29, 2018.

"Animated multispectral imagery depicts a partially exposed low level circulation center, with convection being sheared to the south, near the poleward end of an active South Pacific Convergence Zone," JTWC noted. 

Upper level analysis indicated the vertical wind shear is strong and sea surface temperatures marginal, preventing further development. Fehi should remain near 40 - 45 kt over the next 24 hours and begin the extratropical transition by 18:00 UTC on January 30. The transition is expected to complete by 09:00 UTC on January 31, and models are indicating the system will slightly re-intensify as a cold-core system and expand its wind field as it enters mid-latitudes.

Credit: JTWC

Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" on January 29, 2018. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP

Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" 3hr precipitation accumulation at 12:00 UTC on January 29, 2018. Credit: earth.nulschool.net

The warmer than usual waters around New Zealand will help fuel this storm and keep very heavy rain and winds going as it approaches New Zealand's western coastline and then crosses the country on Thursday, February 1, WeatherWatch forecasters warned. There is a chance of flooding from this low as well as wind damage. Seas will also be especially rough in western areas later this week.

"This tropical storm is certainly one to watch and all holidaymakers, trampers and those in rural areas should be well aware of the potential for severe weather it may create."
Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" on January 29, 2018. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP
Bron: https://watchers.news/ 

 

Ex-tropical cyclone Fehi hits New Zealand, combines with kind tides

Remnants of Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" slammed into New Zealand's South Island on Thursday, February 1, 2018, and combined with king tides to trigger heavy flooding in some regions. Numerous trees and power lines were downed as winds up to 140 km/h (87 mph) and gusts to 160 km/h (99 mph) swept across the region, leaving thousands of homes without power and flights grounded.

At least 2 000 homes in Fox Glacier and Ingahua lost power and another 3 500 in Hokitika, Hari Hari and Whataroa. Entire Glenduan lost power, over 500 homes in Christchurch (mostly around the Port Hills, including Charteris Bay, Governors Bay and Lyttleton) and about 300 in Coromandel (Port Jackson and Little Bay).

A state of emergency was declared in Dunedin, the second largest city in South Island, after more than 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain fell in 15 hours, causing sewage overflows. Its City Council began evacuating residents late afternoon when about 800 homes were at risk of flooding. 

Buller District also declared a state of emergency and its Civil Defence warned Westport residents that floodwaters may be contaminated, urging them to avoid them due to health and safety risk. 

Hundreds of trees have come down in Westland on the West Coast. Westland Mayor Bruce Smith describes the carnage, telling Radio New Zealand he's never seen anything like this:


Remnants of Tropical Cyclone "Fehi" slammed into New Zealand's South Island on Thursday, February 1, 2018, and combined with king tides to trigger heavy flooding in some regions. Numerous trees and power lines were downed as winds up to 140 km/h (87 mph) and gusts to 160 km/h (99 mph) swept across the region, leaving thousands of homes without power and flights grounded.

At least 2 000 homes in Fox Glacier and Ingahua lost power and another 3 500 in Hokitika, Hari Hari and Whataroa. Entire Glenduan lost power, over 500 homes in Christchurch (mostly around the Port Hills, including Charteris Bay, Governors Bay and Lyttleton) and about 300 in Coromandel (Port Jackson and Little Bay).

A state of emergency was declared in Dunedin, the second largest city in South Island, after more than 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain fell in 15 hours, causing sewage overflows. Its City Council began evacuating residents late afternoon when about 800 homes were at risk of flooding. 

Buller District also declared a state of emergency and its Civil Defence warned Westport residents that floodwaters may be contaminated, urging them to avoid them due to health and safety risk. 

Hundreds of trees have come down in Westland on the West Coast. Westland Mayor Bruce Smith describes the carnage, telling Radio New Zealand he's never seen anything like this:

Westland District Council reported at least 115 people were stranded overnight in their cars near Fox Glacier. "They will receive assistance as a priority first thing in the morning as conditions allow," the council said, adding that they are in no immediate danger. "They have water and shelter."

A small tornado was reported Thursday by a Blaketown resident.

Nelson authorities ordered a major evacuation in face of storm surges and high tides after 35 mm (1.3 inches) of rain fell in 2 hours.
Wellington recorded winds up to 140 km/h (87 mph), causing major flight disruptions and canceling ferries.

Waitara residents were told to evacuate homes as a precaution against flooding.

Strong gusty northerlies, heavy rain and king tides closed Tamaki Drive in Auckland between Ngapipi Road and CBD (Hobson Bay area), causing major disruption for drivers.

Heavy rain for the west coast of the South Island and central parts of the North Island easing Friday morning. Severe gales for much of the country have eased.

A major storm is weakening overnight tonight and Friday morning, meanwhile its associated front moves east across the North Island," MetService said 21:27 NZDT, February 1 (08:27 UTC). "This storm and front should bring further periods of heavy rain to the northwest of the South Island and the central areas of the North Island till Friday morning."

The heaviest rain is expected in Westland, Buller, the ranges of northwest Nelson and Canterbury High Country, also Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupo and Taihape including Tongariro National Park, Bay of Plenty and the ranges of Gisborne. A heavy rain warning is still in force for these areas.

Heavy rain has eased in Fiordland, Southland, Otago, Marlborough and eastern Nelson, and the heavy rain Warning for these areas is now lifted, the service added.

Severe gale force winds have eased in Westland, Buller, Canterbury High Country, Nelson, Marlborough, Wellington and southern Taranaki, and the strong wind Warning for these areas is now lifted.






Bron: https://watchers.news 

 

BE AWARE - TAMAKI DRIVE

Tamaki Drive MAY CLOSE tonight due to tidal inundation at high tide (9:10PM).

Please allow extra time to travel an alternative route, as you may be directed to do so by our road crews in the area if Tamaki Dr closes. pic.twitter.com/Lm08BtFcZr

— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) 1 februari 2018

#pink #violet #cloudy sky all at once #Auckland @MetService @PhilipDuncan bit of a break in the rain! pic.twitter.com/RG8OlFO3S4

— Lauren (@LaurenMichela1) 1 februari 2018

Above & behind the cloud and rain the sun must be setting #NOFILTER #pinksky #Auckland pic.twitter.com/6fiSmMfsFH

— Paula Browning (@PaulaJBrowning) 1 februari 2018