Potential for big waves depending on cyclone’s path

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Swells off the Gisborne-East Coast region could rise up to four metres one Monday morning before slowly easing that evening.

The potential big seas are associated with the passage of Cyclone Dovi, expected to travel down the Tasman Sea towards the west coast of the country.

MetService is predicting “a southeast swell rising to three, possibly four metres, during Monday and early Tuesday morning, before easing later on Tuesday”.

“The lowest air pressure of around 990hPa is expected early Monday, then rising.

“There is still some uncertainty on the track of Cyclone Dovi and the forecast may change closer to Monday,” MetService said.

“Depending on the cyclone's track the swells may be smaller, leading to less risk of coastal damage.”