Schools to close, flights canceled as New Zealand's largest city braces for Cyclone Gabrielle | CNN
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CNN — Schools across Auckland, New Zealand, will close Monday as the island nation’s largest city braces for the arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle, CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand reported Sunday. More than 36 schools and universities will shut their doors despite no formal order from the Ministry of Education, RNZ said, while the InterCity bus network will also reduce its services. According to the New Zealand MetService, gale force winds have already been recorded over the North Island on Sunday, with some reaching as high as 140 kph (87 mph). “I can’t remember a time when the whole of the North Island was on a wind warning,” said Lisa Murray, head of Weather Communications for the MetService. “This is a huge sprawling weather system affecting the country. Extreme rain and wind are expected for many North Island regions, accompanied by phenomenal seas along n