Severe gales and heavy rain are expected to hit the northern and eastern North Island from tomorrow as Cyclone Fili approaches the North Island.
Flooding in New Caledonia's commune of Bourail as a result of Cyclone Fili Photo: Facebook
The storm could first hit Northland and then track across eastern parts of the island, raising concerns about the recently flood-ravaged region Tairāwhiti.
MetService duty forecaster Raveen Das told Morning Report some coastal areas could get at least 100mm of rainfall in 24 hours.
He said at this stage based on the current forecast track, it was likely to approach the northern and eastern coastal areas of the upper North island on Tuesday, looping past eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne on Wednesday, before gradually moving to the southeast of the country on Thursday.
"We should ... notice the effects of Cyclone Fili across the upper North Island north of Auckland from late Tuesday - Tuesday afternoon, evening - and then gradually drift southeast affecting Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and potentially Wairarapa."
"The effects are very likely to be gale to storm-force winds, heavy rain and also significant swell ... affecting eastern coastal areas as well."
"We should start ... noticing the effects of Cyclone Fili across the upper North Island from late Tuesday" - Raveen Das
Predictions at this point uncertain, but an update was expected at 10am and based on the current forecast Hawke's Bay was likely to get the most rain at this point.
"It's difficult to say exact amounts but all guidance are suggesting warnin criteria rainfall, which is 100mm in 24 hours at least in many of the northern and eastern coastal areas."
"Cyclone Fili is currently about 450km to the southeast of New Caledonia. It has been slow moving over the last two days but today it's expected to start moving southeast and gradually deepen."
Heavy rain is also forecast for Fiordland and Westland from tonight.