An intensifying cyclone is making a beeline for Auckland and Northland this weekend, with the worst of the storm to strike on Sunday.
More than half a dozen watches and warnings are in place for the North Island and top of the South Island midweek, while a separate cyclone is set to “directly hit” Northland and Auckland later this week, becoming widespread by Sunday.
At lunchtime on Tuesday, Cyclone Vaianu was upgraded to a Category 3 tropical cyclone with winds around the centre in excess of 150km/h.
Vaianu is about 600km northwest of Nadi in Fiji, with MetService having warned it is set to make direct impact with the top of the North Island this weekend.
All schools across Fiji have closed under a Government-led directive.
An Air New Zealand spokesperson said four Fiji flights have already been cancelled today because of the weather conditions and confirmed recovery flights are in place.
Fiji Airways said some flights to and from Fiji have been cancelled, and warned that as conditions evolve, further adjustments may be required.
Forecasters say it is too early to lock in a definite path for Vaianu, other than it is currently tracking to directly hit Northland and Auckland, with the brunt of the weather forecast for Sunday.
The cyclone is expected to deliver strong winds, large swells and heavy rain.
MetService reported it was forecast to move southeastwards across the North Island towards East Cape by midnight Sunday, bringing harsh rain to much of the north and strong winds to Manawatū and Tararua districts.
“For the North Island from the Tararua District and Manawatū northwards, there is moderate confidence winds will rise to severe gale in exposed places. Winds are initially forecast to blow from the east to southeast and are followed by southwesterlies as Cyclone Vaianu moves southwards,” the weather agency said.
“In addition, a front is expected to move northwards over southern New Zealand, while weakening.”
MetService has forecast 8m swells from 1am on Sunday, mainly in the east of the Far North, making their way down the east of the country and easing off around Gisborne by Monday afternoon.
The Far North District Council has set up recovery hubs across the region to provide support to locals affected by recent severe weather, as more rain looms for the area.
“Information, advice, and support related to welfare, accommodation, financial assistance, wellbeing, and wider recovery matters can be easily accessed.
“This approach avoids the need for storm-affected whānau to navigate multiple systems independently.
“The initiative is part of the Civil Defence transition from an emergency to a recovery response, following recent severe weather in the district.”
Hubs have been set up at the following sites:
Updates to venue details and times will be made on the council website and Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the Whangarei District Council general manager community services group, Victoria Harwood, told the Herald the council was closely monitoring the situation and planning for any possible weather impacts from Vaianu.
“Our roading contractors have been out clearing drains and debris in preparation for further heavy rain and our council civil defence team is ready to mobilise should it be required.
“People should continue to follow the latest weather updates from MetService and the advice of Northland Civil Defence.”
Harwood has advised residents can prepare by checking and clearing drains, gutters and downpipes as well as securing any outdoor furniture and trampolines that may fly around in wind.
“People can also report any blocked council drains to us by phoning us on 0800 932 463 and we will send someone to unblock them.”
MetService says it is also monitoring a second tropical cyclone currently active in Pacific waters.
Cyclone Maila, Category 3, is currently slow-moving in the Solomon Sea, between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, which MetService says “won’t have any bearing on New Zealand weather”.
Metservice has upgraded a rain watch in Bay of Plenty to an orange heavy rain warning for the region west of Whakatāne, including Rotorua. From 100mm to 140mm of rain is expected until midnight on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, an orange heavy rain warning issued earlier for Northland has been downgraded to a rain watch. Up to 120mm of rain could fall until 6pm.
Severe weather has begun to affect the region’s state highways, with flooding and fallen trees reported to NZTA Waka Kotahi.
• SH15 Te Pua - Flood warning, drive to the conditions.
• SH10 Waipapa - Traffic management is in place due to surface flooding.
• SH10 Mangonui - Surface flooding present.
• SH10 Kaeo - Surface flooding present.
NZTA has asked motorists not to drive through flood water, reduce speed and drive to the conditions.
“Road conditions can change rapidly — please be prepared for roads to be closed at short notice."
A strong wind watch is also in place for the region, where east to northeast winds could approach severe gale strength in exposed places.
Civil Defence Northland said the region had earlier recorded 30mm to 60mm of rain, mainly in eastern areas, with more on its way.
There have been no reports of major incidents or power outages so far.
These warnings come after the Northland region recently suffered widespread flooding, with settlements in Whangārei and the Far North cut off and more than 80 homes damaged.
Both districts declared states of emergency following the severe weather.
Further south, a heavy rain watch has been issued for Auckland, including Aotea Great Barrier Island, with rain expected to arrive from around 9am lasting until midday tomorrow.
The watch also covers the Coromandel Peninsula from later this afternoon until 3pm tomorrow as well as Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupō from 3am to 8pm tomorrow.
The tail end of the weather system is expected to reach the northern South Island later today, with heavier rain forecast for Tasman, particularly northwest of Motueka from 6pm.
A MetService spokesman said most of the South Island would escape the worst of the rain, although drizzly and overcast conditions were expected along the east coast, including Canterbury.