Cyclone Owen has reformed and this time around may grow into a severe Category 3 storm before drifting back where it came and then down the eastern coastline of Australia and into the Tasman Sea area.

This set up may see heavy rain and strong winds hug the north eastern coastline of Aussie for a number of days ahead bringing with it the risk of flooding. The storm is unlikely to remain a Category 3 as it backtracks and moves over land but may still retain enough energy to stay a tropical cyclone. Either way, it looks like a rainmaker more than a wind maker.

As for New Zealand, the remnants of Owen do look as though they may our shores in about 10 days time but at this stage it may have completely fallen apart by then. As we said a few weeks ago Owen is worth monitoring as it has the potential to reform but currently it does not pose a direct threat to New Zealand.

– BOM (Australian Government)

– BOM (Australian Government)

– JTWC (US Government)

– This rain map above shows in dark blue how much wetter than normal north eastern Australia will be due to Owen. / US Government 

– WeatherWatch.co.nz