Cyclone Gita headed for NZ - landfall next week

Cyclone Gita's eye grows even larger, now over 100km wide

Cyclone Gita's eye has grown even larger, NIWA warns - and it is heading towards New Zealand.

Newshub,

15 February, 2018

• MetService says Cyclone Gita system likely to hit New Zealand

The devastating storm is moving away from Fiji and feeding off the warm water.

"Tropical #CycloneGita's eye has grown substantially since yesterday and now is over 100 km wide -- that's larger than average," NIWA says on Twitter.

NIWA Weather@NiwaWeather

Tropical #CycloneGita's eye has grown substantially since yesterday and now is over 100 km wide -- that's larger than average.

While the eye might be larger, due to its energy being spread over a larger area, it will likely be weaker.

WeatherWatch.co.nz

✔@WeatherWatchNZ

#CycloneGita 4pm Update: Central Air Pressure 928HPA, still Category 5. Storm now over open waters moving slowly away from #Fiji area. Cyclone moving W at 9 knots, likely turning WSW tonight. Weakening expected next few days.

4:02 PM - Feb 14, 2018

However it is still expected to bring heavy rain and howling winds to our country.

"Rain impacts in NZ related to Gita may arrive as early as Monday but peak on Tuesday-Wednesday," NIWA says.

WeatherWatch.co.nz

✔@WeatherWatchNZ

#CycloneGita: Latest possible tracking into #NewZealand next week (+6 Maps) http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/content/cyclone-gita-latest-possible-tracking-new-zealand-next-week-6-maps … via @weatherwatchnz #weather #storm

11:06 AM - Feb 15, 2018

Cyclone Gita: Latest possible tracking into New Zealand next week (+6 Maps)

Severe Cyclone Gita remains a Category 4 cyclone this morning 1700kms directly north of Auckland, New Zealand. The cyclone is tracking westwards at 13km/h and will start to track more WSW in the comin

weatherwatch.co.nz

MetService

✔@MetService

#CycloneGita
MetService have issued a blog with the history & future track of #TCGITA. You can find it at http://bit.ly/TCGITA_1 
This system will likely impact New Zealand early next week, but there is considerable uncertainly regarding the track as it approaches us. ^Lisa

5:15 PM - Feb 14, 2018

MetService is maintaining a Gita blog so New Zealanders can track the cyclone's progress

There are several possibilities for where Gita could hit, with modelling showing the area of impact to be anywhere from the top of the North Island to the middle of the South Island.