Northern parts of the country are preparing themselves for some wild weather, with Cyclone Hola due to hit overnight.
Niwa's tracking of Cyclone Hola as it nears the North Island. Photo: Niwa
The cyclone that caused severe damage in parts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia is set to make landfall here.
It's due to hit Northland first, followed by the Coromandel and Gisborne.
Civil Defence has asked people to clear their gutters, trim back overhanging branches, secure their outdoor furniture and trampolines, and make sure their boats are properly moored.
It’s looking like #TCHola will make its presence felt in some parts of the North Island from late this evening/tomorrow. Check the latest from @MetService for your area, and follow your local civil defence: https://t.co/YYieYxBS0c
— MCDEM (@NZcivildefence) March 11, 2018
Make a plan at https://t.co/lUls4fWCx8 pic.twitter.com/GXuyVuaaUa
Meanwhile, crews from Auckland power company Vector are on standby in case the cyclone causes damage to the electricity network.
Chief network officer Andre Botha said tree branches coming into contact with lines, and cars colliding with power poles in the wet were both possibilities until the worst had passed.
He said any downed lines should be treated as live, and people should steer clear.
A pretty night sky for #Auckland tonight - but don't be deceived! Already very windy out in the Hauraki Gulf, gusting 50 knots at Channel Island so far. ^GG pic.twitter.com/lj3LxdgqDt
— MetService (@MetService) March 11, 2018
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the northeast parts of the North Island ahead of Cyclone Hola's expected arrival.
Hola would bring gale force winds and heavy rain to northern and eastern parts of the North Island on Monday and the early hours of Tuesday, MetService forecast.
Flooding is possible for eastern areas from Northland to the Western Bay of Plenty, as well as Gisborne.
Heavy rain warnings are in place from early Monday morning for Northland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Gisborne.
The strongest winds are expected in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, and a strong wind warning is in force for these areas.
The rain is expected to peak at 20 to 35 millimetres an hour.
MetService has said the storm was likely to be less destructive than cyclones Fehi and Gita because the tides would be lower.
And NIWA's regional modelling indicates that Cyclone Hola's strongest wind gusts will remain offshore on Monday.
NIWA's regional modelling indicates that Tropical #CycloneHola's strongest wind gusts will remain offshore on Monday.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) March 11, 2018
Gusts could exceed 70 km/h in: east coastal Northland, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel, coastal Bay of Plenty, & Gisborne ranges as Hola passes offshore. pic.twitter.com/9jpL6MgP1o
NIWA announced last year, alongside other agencies, there was an above average risk for tropical cyclones to come close to New Zealand this season, due to La Nina weather conditions.
The average is about one ex-tropical cyclone a year.
