Weather forecaster NIWA says it is "increasingly likely" Tropical Cyclone Vaianu will affect New Zealand later this week.
Yesterday, forecasters including MetService said it was "keeping a close eye on" the severe subtropical low forming off the coast of the South Pacific, but was unclear exactly how bad potential impacts may be for New Zealand.
Tropical Cyclone Vaianu (TC Vaianu) was currently deemed to be a category three tropical cyclone sitting to the west of Fiji, with winds in the centre exceeding 150km/h.
Last night NIWA shared an animation online depicting a range of track scenarios, with most indicating a landfall somewhere in the upper North Island on Sunday.
"Heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal hazards are possible," it said.
This morning, John Law said it was a "wet start across the North Island".
"This band of rainfall stretching across the island even down to the top of the South Island. That's gradually pulling away toward the east, so an improvement for places like the Marlborough and Tasman region, but we are going to keep hold of that heavy rain warning for another few hours.
"And up toward the likes of the Bay of Plenty, that rain really taking its time to clear away."
He said there was "good news" for those further north, with rain clearing today in Northland and Auckland.
"But do keep a close eye on the forecast as more unsettled weather for the weekend."
Current watches and warnings
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne, including Rotorua – 22 hours from 11pm Tuesday to 9pm today.
Tasman northwest of Motueka – 11 hours from 9pm Tuesday to 8am today.
Heavy Rain Watch
Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 14 hours from 8pm Tuesday to 10am today.
Coromandel Peninsula – 19 hours from 8pm Tuesday to 3pm today.
Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupo – 15 hours from 3am today to 6pm today.
Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatāne – 29 hours from 6am today to 11am Thursday.
Richmond and Bryant ranges, including the Rai Valley – 11 hours from 11pm Tuesday to 10am today.
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