HOW DOES THIS YEAR COMPARE?
The graph above shows the number of tropical cyclones that
have formed over the South Pacific since 1969.
EFFECTS ON NEW ZEALAND
The season started with the high profile tropical cyclone Evan,
one of the strongest of the season. Evan formed over the warm
waters north-east of Fiji before heading eastwards towards
Samoa where it caused significant damage around Upolu,
including massive flooding in the capital Apia from the surging
waters of the Vaisigano River. From Samoa, the cyclone headed
north then westwards to pass over or close to the French islands
of Wallis and Futuna before moving further south to affect parts
of Fiji, including the island groups of Yasawa and Mamanuca,
northern and western Viti Levu. As the system continued
southwards, its energy was sapped by the much cooller seas and
shearing winds, causing it to weaken considerably. However, the
remnants of Evan reached the north of New Zealand during
the Christmas – New Year holiday period accompanied by hot,
humid and some wet weather.
With anticyclones dominating the weather across New
Zealand and the Tasman Sea, the remnants of Evan and Sandra
were the only systems to move across the country. After several
dry months, the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Sandra brought
with it the promise of some useful rain to parts of New
Zealand. The path of the system, from its origin in the Coral
Sea south to the Tasman Sea, meant that close cooperation was
needed between the Australian and Kiwi forecasting teams.
Although the cyclone moved into the New Zealand area of
responsibility on March 13, the forecast path took it close
to Australia's Lord Howe Island which meant forecasters on
both sides of the Tasman worked together to ensure the Island
received the best forecasts and warnings. An observation station
on Lord Howe, aptly named Windy Point, recorded a wind
gust of 145 kilometres per hour.
Sandra was downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone shortly
afterwards and the remains of the system moved across central
parts of New Zealand around the March 17, bringing some
much needed rain.
Quality Equipment
(1989) LIMITED
NEW ZEALAND ROPE AND TWINE MANUFACTURERS
NEW ZEALANDS NO 1 MANUFACTURER & SUPPLIER
WORLDWIDE TO THE COMMERCIAL FISHING & AQUACULTURE SECTORS
MANUFACTURING (NZ Rope & Twine Ltd)
SALES:
Free Phone 0800 767 348 (0800 ROPE 4 U)
Email: sales@qe.co.nz
AUCKLAND SALES & DISTRIBUTION
VIP.AC54
NELSON SALES & DISTRIBUTION
Auckland: 70 Hillside Rd, Glenfield
Ph 09 444 7742 | Fax 09 444 5872
Email sales@qe.co.nz
Nelson: 24 Vickerman St, Nelson
Ph 03 546 9179 | Fax 03 546 6347
Email nelson.sales@qe.co.nz
Manufacturing Plant: NZ Rope & Twine Ltd
Ph 09 444 7742 | Fax 09 444 5872
73 Hillside Road, Glenfield, Auckland, NZ.
JULY/AUGUST 2013
■
NZ AQUACULTURE
■
15
