Former Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle made a transition to an extratropical cyclone northwest of New Zealand on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of former Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle was located at latitude 27.2°S and longitude 165.3°E which put it about 670 miles (1080 km) northwest of Auckland, New Zealand. Gabrielle was moving toward the southeast at 29 m.p.h. (46 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Former Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle made a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Friday. Gabrielle moved over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24˚C. An upper level trough east of Australia produced northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Gabrielle’s circulation. Those winds cause strong vertical wind shear. A combination of cooler water and strong vertical wind shear caused former Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle to make a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone. Strong thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern half of the extratropical cyclone. Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The transition to an extratropical cyclone caused the size of the low pressure system to expand. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 330 miles (530 km) from the center of circulation.

The upper level trough east of Australia will steer the extratropical cyclone quickly toward the southeast. On its anticipated track, former Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle could affect northern New Zealand during the weekend. The extratropical cyclone will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern New Zealand. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.