Cyclone Gabrielle still on course for East Cape

CYCLONE GABRIELLE'S COURSE: The latest projected track of Cyclone Gabrielle shows it is still heading to the east of New Zealand, and is expected to deliver heavy rain and strong winds to the Gisborne-East Cape region and other eastern coastal areas of the North Island. MetService image

Updated severe weather watches have been issued for the Gisborne-East Cape region by MetService as Cyclone Gabrielle speeds toward the North Island.

The latest watches are for heavy rain, severe gale-force winds and large waves along the Coast on Monday and Tuesday.

Further updates were to be issued late this morning.

Tracking shows Cyclone Gabrielle is still on course to pass just east of East Cape.

Monitoring indicates the system will transition to a sub-tropical storm today, but will still pack a punch.

The Pacific Disaster Centre (PDC) reported this morning that it is travelling south-eastwards at over 30 knots (55kmh) with sustained winds at 75 knots (138 kmh), and gusts to 90 knots (166 kmh).

This morning the 2000 residents of Norfolk Island were bracing themselves for the arrival of the cyclone, which is expected to pass directly over the island today.

PDC's senior weather specialist Glenn James says although the cyclone is weakening “it will remain a strong gale-force to storm-force subtropical low”.

MetService this morning issued an Orange rain warning for north of Tolaga Bay for 300 to 400 millimetres of rain, with 200 to 300mm of rain expected on Monday, with peak intensities of 20 to 30mm and hour, especially about the ranges.

From Tolaga Bay south, the latest forecast is for 100 to 150mm of rain, but 150 to 250mm about the ranges including the Whareratas and peak intensities of 20 to 30mm an hour from Monday evening.

A strong wind watch has been issued for Monday and Tuesday, forecasting south-east winds that could “approach or possibly exceed severe gale force in exposed places”.

MetService says the warnings could possibly be further upgraded to Red.