Tropical cyclone Hal developed from a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Carpentaria on 5 April 1978. Hal crossed the Far North Queensland coast as a category 1 before moving into the Coral Sea. Hal slowly continued southeastward weakening below cyclone intensity with unfavourable conditions for the next week. By April 13, Hal was steered poleward by a mid latitude trough and commenced transitioning as an extratropical cyclone in the North Tasman. Hal then strengthened as it moved towards New Zealand waters on 16 April.  

 

Ex-TC Hal continued to intensify nearing the Upper North Island on 18 April with gales affecting Northland. On 19 April, Hal crossed the central North Island over the Waikato as a deep 976 hPa extratropical.  Winds gusted between 100 to 130 km across a wide area of the Upper North Island but little damage was reported from wind or rain with the most intense side of the storm being out in the Tasman.  

 

 

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