New Zealand’s climate agencies, NIWA and MetService, have predicted a milder tropical cyclone season for the Pacific, running from November to April. Their forecast, released Wednesday, anticipates six to 10 cyclones, down from last year’s projection of nine to 14.
Solomon Islands and New Caledonia face the highest risk, expecting two to three cyclones, while Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa could see one to two storms.
Despite the milder outlook, three to four severe cyclones reaching category three or higher may still occur. NIWA forecaster Ben Noll emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, “We think that six to 10 tropical cyclones is the most likely range.”
Cyclones are named once they reach category one, with winds over 63 km/h. Last year, the Pacific saw eight named storms, including the category five Cyclone Lola, which hit Vanuatu in October.
Source: PACNEWS
