New Zealand's National Institute of Atmospheric Research is predicting a greater likelihood of tropical cyclones in some parts of the Pacific this season because of the El Nino effect.
NIWA has just released its risk assessments for the first part of the cyclone season through until January.
Dr Jim Salinger predicts cyclones are significantly more likely in Wallis and Futuna, Samoa, Tokelau, Niue and the Southern Cook Islands.
"the reason is we are now in a well established moderate El Nino pattern, in the South Pacific, and what this does is it elongates the risk eastwards, from where it normally is.."
Dr Jim Salinger.
NIWA is predicting New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji, face a reduced risk of cyclones this season.
