MetService keeping eye on developing system in Coral Sea

A developing system in the Coral Sea has the potential to form into a tropical cyclone, with the MetService monitoring its progress and if it even reaches that level.

MetService head of weather news Heather Keats told Breakfast the activity could form into a tropical cyclone and head towards the coast of Queensland in Australia.

However, from there she said there are some “early indications” it could make its way down to New Zealand and over the North Island.

“It hasn’t been named as a tropical cyclone yet, it might not,” Keats said.

“Conditions today [show] it is somewhat favourable but it is still a little bit on the fence.”

Keats also said currently, it is hard to predict exactly what the system will do, as there is “so much variation in the potential path of this”.

“We are aware of it, we’re watching it closely, if it comes into our territory we then start to track and monitor it. If it does happen it will be this time next week.”

“It’s just one of those ones where you keep an eye on the forecast.”

Keats said today, the weather is “pretty good” across most of the country – apart from a “couple of showers here and there”.

“There is a front moving over the south-west of the South Island.

“So there is a heavy rain watch in place for Fiordland and Westland between Doubtful Sound and Haast. There is a moderate chance this could get upgraded to a warning, and the watch is in place until 3am tomorrow.”

For the weekend, Keats said it is looking “really good” for most of the country.

“We do have that front which is going to weaken and slightly move north, and then there is another front that will come over the south-west of the South Island, so there could be a chance of some more watches or warnings being issued there.

“But there is high pressure for most of us, especially the North Island, so that’s going to keep things really lovely. On Saturday, that front will hit Fiordland later in the day, then on Sunday that’s going to move over to the northern part of the South Island.”

“So there will be lots of showers for the South Island on Sunday, again though, the north island, mostly staying nice and fine.”