Plans for a Christmas barbecue might fizzle out if a tropical cyclone headed our way hits close to the big day. Weather authorities say computer modelling over the past few days has shown signs of a tropical cyclone threatening New Zealand in less than two weeks - and about a week away from the big day itself. "Modelling for several days has pointed to a tropical cyclone forming around Vanuatu to Fiji area next week and drifting from east to west, towards the north Tasman Sea and New Caledonia area," a statement says. Despite the potential threat of a cyclone dampening things ahead of Christmas Day, weather experts say a large high pressure system is expected over New Zealand around the same time the cyclone is developing. "It looks as though this high over New Zealand may be the likely controlling factor for any tropical lows coming our way."

Source: Otago Daily Times December 06, 2020 20:26 UTC