CYCLONE COMING TO N.Z. FROM THE TROPICS

Grey River Argus, 1 September 1948, Page 4

CYCLONE COMING TO N.Z. FROM THE TROPICS

Storms Forecast For To-morrow P.A. WELLINGTON, August 31. A tropical cyclone is expected to affect. the North Island in the next two or three days. This was stated by the Weather Office to-night. The cyclone is liKelV to reach East Cape within the next 24 or 36 hours, and then to move down the east coast on to the South Island. As the cyclone passes down . the coast, strong east to south-east winds, reaching gale force, are expected with heavy rain. Strong winds, of from 50 to 55 miles an hour, accompanied by torrential rain, are being experienced within 300 miles of the centre of the cyclone. The Weather Office . added that southerly winds and rain are like*?; to develop in the Wellington ana Manawatu districts late to-morrow afternoon, while winds up to gale force, with widespread rain, are forecast for the Wairarapa. The cyclone developed west of thtNew Hebrides. At mid-day on Sunday it was west of New Caledonia, and by mid-day on Monday it had moved across Norfolk Island, the centre of it passing neai’ the island. AUCKLAND, August 31 An intense tropical cyclone is advancing on Auckland from the northwest and is expected here sometime to-night. Strong gales are being experienced in the Tasman Sea and the Tasman Airways flying boat, scheduled to leave Sydney for Auckland this morning, has been delayed for 24 hours.

The flying boat which left Auckland for Sydney this morning reported winds of 55 knots at 5000 feet when 300 1 miles west of Auckland. The Works Department ketch, the New Golden Hind, 300 miles northeast of North Cape, reported gales up to 48 knots this morning. Meteorologists say that tropical cyclones of this kind are normally experienced only between January and March.