Ex-tropical Cyclone Uesi is on track to hit New Zealand late on Saturday and bring heavy rain to the South Island. From there it will enter the southern Tasman Sea late on Saturday and bring heavy downpours to the western and southern areas of the South Island hit with heavy rain and flooding eight days ago. New Zealand's first visit from an ex-tropical cyclone this season will not go where it is needed most – in drought-stricken Auckland and Northland. James said the reason for the cyclone hitting the southern part of the South Island was to do with how the system was affected by high pressure around it. It was not unheard of for cyclones to hit the South Island, he said, citing Cyclone Gita which bore down on Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast in February 2018.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 12, 2020 20:15 UTC