Ex-tropical Cyclone Hale’s centre is continually moving toward the upper North Island as of 11:04 p.m.
As it approaches from the north – east tonight, the tracking indicates that it may “landfall” near Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, or perhaps Waikato (if it came along the Firth of Thames) or the Bay of Plenty (if it remains further to the east). This means that it might arrive on land as early as shortly before midnight or at daybreak.
The storm system’s wind strength will decline as Hale’s centre crosses land, and it will eventually travel southeast of the North Island and out into the Pacific Ocean by tomorrow afternoon or night.
With Great Barrier Island remaining the nearest land to the centre, Auckland has likely already felt the strongest gusts (before Hale arrives).
The airflow is also anticipated to diminish in Auckland as the centre moves in. Almost like taking two steps forward and one step back.
Since cyclones frequently become extra-tropical when they intensify, much of the hardest rain is being forced down the North Island.
Overnight, the eastern part of the North Island is also slipping down due to strong winds.
