While the tropics on this side of the world are pretty subdued, one tropical system caught my eye. Cyclone Hola. Yes, I admit, this cyclone mostly caught my eye because of it’s name. That said, it’s a good one.
In this region of the world, they don’t use the same storm rating we do here in the United States. If they did, however, it would be a Category 2 Hurricane with sustained winds at 100 mph. The storm already passed over Vanuatu, where Radio New Zealand reports (archive) one dead in the damage with two others injured.
#CycloneHola La plupart des radiers actuellement inondés et impraticables au nord de #Dumbéa (Koghis, Daver, Charbonniers, Carigou). Des habitants sont d’ailleurs bloqués route du Carigou. https://t.co/lbpQmhQX8e #NouvelleCalédonie #Intempéries #Inondations #Hurricane #DirectLNC pic.twitter.com/gcIH5pb3lo
— Anthony °° Tejero (@TEJEROAnthony) March 9, 2018
Tropical Cyclone Hola Headed Toward New Caledonia https://t.co/DVYA9sVFtI pic.twitter.com/bEPTLIuHi1
— The Voice of America (@VOANews) March 9, 2018
The next stop for Hola (though it’s not really a stop) is New Caledonia. They’ll be spared the brunt of the storm, as it will pass a ways to the east. That said, the capital, Noumea, is looking at wind gusts up to 60 mph and is currently under their highest weather alert (archive). Right now, Meteo France reports (in French) heavy rain and winds gusting to 40 mph.
Hola is expected to pass the region Saturday and begin to weaken as it moves out of the tropics. By Monday, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects central winds to be around 45 mph with slightly higher gusts. Also around Monday, Hola will be approaching Auckland with gale-force winds.
Current models are showing Hola skirting the northeast shore of the North Island as it rapidly accelerates toward the southeast and well out to sea.
Hola will be an interesting system to watch the next couple days. Interests in New Caledonia and on the North Island of New Zealand should keep tabs on it. Official sources for weather information are:
- French territories – Météo France
- New Zealand – MetService
Tropical cyclone season in the South Pacific officially runs from November 1 to April 30. So far there have been five tropical depressions and three cyclones.
