CHRIS NOBLE, MANAGER PUBLIC WEATHER SERVICES
Cyclone Pam is slowly moving away to the east of the Chatham Islands, but conditions there will be slow to ease throughout today and overnight. Here's the latest word from the Severe Weather team a short time ago:
HANNAH MOES, METSERVICE METEOROLOGIST
At midday on Tuesday the centre of Cyclone Pam was located about 280km northeast of the Chatham Islands, with a central pressure of 945hPa.
BILL SINGH, METSERVICE METEOROLOGIST
RAMON OOSTERKAMP, MANAGER FORECASTING OPERATIONS
At 9pm Tropical Cyclone “Pam”, a Category 3 Cyclone, is lying near 32.8S 178.5E, or about 500km east-northeast of Cape Reinga moving swiftly southeast at 55 km/h. We are expecting “Pam” to recurve a little southward before passing about 150km east of East Cape at midday tomorrow.
FRANCES RUSSELL, METSERVICE METEOROLOGIST
Satellite picture for the Tropics at 7pm NZDT 13th March
JOHN LAW, METSERVICE METEOROLOGIST
The forecasting team continue to monitor the progression of Tropical Cyclone Pam. By comparing the forecast tracks of several models the team have compiled a best track forecast for the position of the centre of the system as it tracks southwards.
JOHN LAW, METSERVICE METEOROLOGIST
From the Severe Weather Outlook issued at 2.34pm today, here’s the latest view on Pam’s potential effects on New Zealand:
JOHN LAW, METSERVICE METEOROLOGIST
The latest guidance and advice from the Fiji Meteorological Service has upgraded Tropical Cyclone Pam to a category 2. This means that sustained wind speeds close to the centre of the system are in excess of 90km/h. The system is forecast to continue strengthening as it moves slowly to the southeast. At 1pm, New Zealand time, TC Pam was located at 9.7°S 170.4°E, with a central pressure of 985hPa. The latest track and position information can be found on the Fiji Met Service website.