New Zealand getting ready for Cyclone Hale, the first tropical cyclone of 2023

The first tropical cyclone of 2023 in the South Pacific has been named this afternoon and is expected to hit New Zealand early this week, wreaking more havoc across the North Island.

Cyclone Hale was located southwest of New Caledonia at midday today and is expected to approach the northeast of the North Island on Monday and Tuesday.

It will then likely pass southwards over or near the eastern North Island on Wednesday, before moving away to the east.

A Metservice spokesperson says at this stage, there is some uncertainty regarding the timing and movement of Cyclone Hale, but it will likely bring a period of heavy rain, gale or severe gale winds and hazardous coastal conditions to parts of northern and central New Zealand from Monday evening through until Thursday morning.

Source: NZ Herald