Cyclone activity in the coming Tropical Cyclone Season is forecast to be near or slightly above average, with a range of 9 to 12 named cyclones expected to occur in the Southwest Pacific between November and April. At least three of these may be severe, reaching category three or higher. For New Zealand, which is typically affected by one ex-tropical cyclone on average, the risk of impacts from an ex-tropical cyclone is elevated compared to normal.

Every year MetService, New Zealand’s official Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC), works alongside NIWA, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology and national meteorological services from other Pacific nations to produce a Tropical Cyclone Outlook for the coming season.

“The long-term average number of named tropical cyclones in the Southwest Pacific (including the Coral Sea) is about 10 per season”, says Chris Noble, MetService Senior Meteorologist and Chair of the regional Tropical Cyclone Committee. “This season, cyclone activity is expected to be near or slightly above average” he adds.

MetService will begin to issue its daily Tropical Cyclone Potential Bulletin from 1 November, or earlier if there is a pre-season development. The bulletin gives a five-day outlook and will be published on the Tropical Cyclone Activity page of the MetService website.

“This coming season, the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle is expected to be in the cool La Niña phase, but is likely to weaken and trend towards neutral late in the season”. Chris continues, “During La Niña, cyclone activity is more likely in the west of basin, in and around the Coral Sea, especially late in the season from February to April.”

“All communities throughout the South Pacific, including New Zealand, are encouraged to prepare for the coming cyclone season and remain vigilant for developing cyclones or other severe weather. It does not take a direct hit or a severe cyclone to cause significant damage or life-threatening weather. If severe weather is forecast, we urge the public to follow official advice from national meteorological services, disaster management offices or local civil defence.”

Around the globe, the official role of monitoring and warning for tropical cyclones is performed by a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) or a Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC), depending on the location of the cyclone. TCWC Wellington, based at MetService, has warning responsibility for the area that extends from 160E to 120W between 25S and 40S.

TCWC and Severe Weather Manager Elke Louw advises, “Although it is very rare for a tropical cyclone to form in the TCWC Wellington area of responsibility, intense tropical cyclones do arrive from the neighbouring Australia or Fiji warning areas, and they often retain their named cyclone status until near latitude 30S (just to the north of New Zealand).”

Sometimes an ex-tropical cyclone will approach and may even cross New Zealand. Elke recalls, “Memorable examples of ex-tropical cyclones over New Zealand include Cyclone Fehi and Gita in 2018 that brought severe weather along with storm surge and coastal inundation to parts of the country.”

If cyclones are expected to impact New Zealand with severe weather, official advice will be provided via Severe Weather Outlooks, Watches and Warnings issued by MetService. Even if land areas are not affected, warnings are still issued for vessels over the open sea.

For more information on tropical cyclones including category ratings, see our Tropical Cyclone Monitoring help page.

The full Tropical Cyclone Outlook report is available on NIWA website.

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