MetService says Cyclone Gita system likely to hit New Zealand

  • 14/02/2018

MetService has warned that the Cyclone Gita's system is likely to impact New Zealand.

In a tweet on Wednesday evening, the forecaster said while they're certain there will be some impact, exactly where the country will be impacted remains unclear.

"This system will likely impact New Zealand early next week, but there is considerable uncertainty regarding the track as it approaches us," a spokesperson said on Twitter.

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

The blog says Gita is expected to weaken slightly on Thursday and will move southeast on Sunday and Monday. 

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.

Closer to the time, MetService will issue official severe weather warnings and watches should they become necessary.

Fiji is currently handling the official forecast for Gita, but MetService will be taking over once it passes latitude line 25S and moves into New Zealand territory.

Newshub.