Cyclones in New Zealand
Cyclones occur rarely in New Zealand. On average, they happen about once per year.The typical cyclone season depends on the summer monsoon. In the months before (May to June) and after (October to November), the most severe storms occur.
New Zealand has certainly been affected by the foothills of several cyclones, but during the past 12 months no cyclone reached the inhabited areas on land.
Other natural hazards in New Zealand:
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Current satellite image of the southwest Pacific Ocean
06.02.2023 © CIMSS University of Wisconsin-Madison
Most violent cyclones in New Zealand since 2018
Ruby: December 11-15, 2021
Wind speed:
max. 130 km/h
Diameter:
max. 185 km
Air pressure:
below 980 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 1
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On December 16th, 2021 at 7:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 694 km northwest of Paihia in Northland.
Gretel: March 13-19, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 115 km/h
Diameter:
max. 370 km
Air pressure:
below 971 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On March 17th, 2020 at 4:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 552 km northwest of Paihia in Northland.
Uesi: February 6-17, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 143 km/h
Diameter:
max. 3741 km
Air pressure:
below 969 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 1
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On February 17th, 2020 at 1:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 246 km east of Te Anau in Southland.
These evaluations are based on data from the National Centers for Environmental Information of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Individual data have been summarized or translated.
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