Cyclone Pam swirling towards Northland

UPDATE - 1.20pm:
Northland is beginning to feel the effects of Cyclone Pam as it heads towards New Zealand with severe rain and heavy gales expected this afternoon and tonight.

Reports indicate areas in the Far North have already been hit with 100km/h wind, while Metservice is warning it could reach 120km/h as it heads south.

Metservice is predicting 80mm to 100 mm of rain could fall in the 18 hours between midday today and 6am Monday.

While the region is still expected to be spared from the full impact of the cyclone it is still expected to be a significant event.

Far North lines company Top Energy is preparing for heavy rains and high winds with crews, vehicles and machinery on standby.

What is the weather like where you are? Let us know. Email your weather updates and photos and videos to reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz.

Civil Defence is warning Northlanders to take the usual precautions for strong winds and rain, including securing large heavy objects or anything that could be potentially dangerous.

Motorists should postpone any unnecessary travel from midday today until tomorrow morning, when the worst of the weather is expected to have past.

HAVOC

The devastating tropical storm that has already wrought havoc in Vanuatu is due to pass by the North Island later today.

MetService says strong winds and rain can be expected over much of the North Island later today and tomorrow.

It is due to hit New Zealand about 9pm. Wind gusts of up to 130km/h are expected in Auckland tonight and into tomorrow. The eastern seaboard from Northland to Hawkes Bay is at risk and Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty are tipped to be worst hit.

Civil Defence has warned residents in the regions to prepare for what is likely to be a "significant" weather event.

They say power cuts and landslides are possible and residents should avoiding non-essential driving.

At 1am today Cyclone Pam was located over waters about 500km southeast of Noumea, New Caledonia, moving quickly south-southeast at 45 km/h.

Cyclone Pam has now moved into the Wellington Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre area of responsibility, so future cyclone tracks will be issued by MetService.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW - from Northland Weather Updates facebook page

- The worst of the weather is expected overnight tonight (Sunday) and early on Monday.

-The cyclone is not likely to make a direct hit on Northland, but will be very close to the east.

-Severe weather warnings have been issued for Northland, as a period of heavy rain is expected from midday Sunday until Monday morning. In the 18 hours from midday Sunday until 6am Monday, expect 80 to 100mm to accumulate. Peak intensities 20mm/hr. Strong wind warning has also been issued as southeasterlies are expected to rise to gale this afternoon, then to severe gale gusting 120km/h this evening, before tending southerly and weakening Monday morning.

-The weather will be worse the further east you are, so areas such as Dargaville and Hokianga the weather will be less severe.

-Huge seas are expected through until Tuesday. Swells are expected to reach 8m in height. Postpone all water based activities as sea conditions will be very dangerous, including strong currents.