NZ: Bay’s horticultural industries licks its wounds after cyclones

The impact of Cyclone Cook and former Cyclone Debbie could be felt for “years to come” by the Bay of Plenty’s leading horticulture industries.  Avocado and kiwifruit growers are cleaning up after bearing the brunt of the two extreme weather events which tore trees from the ground and flooded orchards throughout the Bay this month.

Elevated El Nino risk remains

Chances of an El Nino developing later in the year remain elevated according to the latest assessment from Australia’s government weather agency.  In its latest outlook, the Bureau of Meteorology said there was around a 50 per cent chance of an El Nino evolving in 2017, which is about twice the normal likelihood.