Weather forecasters believe Tropical Cyclone Hola is "likely" to strike New Zealand on Monday and Tuesday - the third major storm already this year. Tropical Cyclone Hola is at Category 4 strength - the second-highest category, currently positioned between Vanuatu and New Caledonia. MetService tropical cyclone forecaster Matthew Ford said Hola had passed over Vanuatu and would track to the east of New Caledonia's main island today. • In the tropics, the strongest winds and most intense rain associated with a tropical cyclone usually occurred just outside the "eye", or cyclone centre. "People in the North Island need to stay up-to-date with the weather forecast," Ford said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 08, 2018 20:48 UTC