Supercomputer Weather: Cyclone Wati Heads For NZ

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NASA MODIS Satellite Image of Cyclone Wati off the Queensland coast

Supercomputer Weather: Cyclone Wati Heads For NZ

Report compiled by Alastair Thompson

According to the latest forecast from the US Navy and Airforce Joint Typhoon Warning Center Cyclone Wati - which had been following in the footsteps of Cyclone Larry towards the Queensland coast - is about to make a 300 degree turn to the left and head for New Zealand's northern tip.

While it is unlikely to pack cyclone force winds by the time it reaches New Zealand it would most probably bring sustained damaging gale force winds and torrential rain.

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Recent Satellite Image of Cyclone Wati off the Queensland Coast

A forecast from the NOAA Global weather computer model ( see below) shows the cyclone grazing the northern tip of Northland early this coming Monday. The tightly bunched isobars indicate gale force winds from Northland to the Waikato initially spreading as far South as Wellington during the day on Monday.

While at this range cyclone behaviour remains highly unpredictable the liklihood of New Zealand being adversely affected by Cyclone Wati appears to be fairly high.

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