We have the latest on a tropical depression near the Solomons that could develop into a tropical cyclone by the end of this week or weekend and then impact New Caledonia, potentially Vanuatu and even Norfolk Island and NZ’s upper North Island.

It’s too early to lock in whether a technical “storm” or “tropical cyclone” will develop – or just simply a lazy area of low pressure – but either way computer modelling is increasingly confident of at least a tropical low pressure zone developing and tracking southwards towards the NZ area in the next 7 days. How it impacts any nations – if at all – is yet to be worked out. We expect by Friday to have more certainty. 

Meanwhile, the “summer of rain” continues on for parts of eastern Australia and NZ’s West Coast with another round of heavy rain from this coming Thursday in both countries.