Tropical cyclone looms in the Pacific as MetService tracks 'unlikely' NZ risk

MetService says a looming tropical cyclone brewing in Cook Islands waters is currently “unlikely” to strike New Zealand.

MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons told the Herald the category one system Cook Islands locals are being warned about was named Tropical Cyclone Wati.

She said the cyclone was located near Rarotonga and was moving in a southeasterly direction.

The system was currently not forecast to affect New Zealand.

Lyons said at this stage it was “pretty unlikely” to strike New Zealand shores because it was tracking further east and was “already quite far away from us”.

She said a ridge of high pressure over the country was “holding strong” and would also prevent the system from coming anywhere close.

“It’s not really something that we in New Zealand need to be concerned about, but for our friends in the Pacific ... that’s obviously something that’s going to be affecting them.”

MetService says a tropical cyclone brewing in the Cook Islands' waters is currently “unlikely” to strike New Zealand. Photo / Cook Islands Meteorological Service

Tropical Cyclone Wati is the first cyclone in the region, arriving two weeks before the official start of the South Pacific cyclone season.

The Cook Islands Meteorological Service advised the public that the weather situation was developing and people across the Cook Islands should stay informed and prepared.

Locals were advised to secure loose items and check their emergency supplies and household plans.

This comes after Earth Sciences New Zealand predicted elevated cyclone activity for parts of the Pacific during the upcoming cyclone season.

“Wati could bring heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas to [the] Cook Islands.

“No threat to NZ,” Earth Sciences New Zealand wrote.

‘Very settled’ Sunday

Lyons said most of New Zealand will continue to have “very settled weather” today due to a ridge of high pressure.

“We will still have a few showers lingering in the east, sort of around Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, but for the rest of the country, it’s mostly pretty clear skies,” Lyons said.

She said this morning was set to be a “bit chilly” but the rest of the day would stay clear for most.

“The difference is that into Monday things will start warming up again, particularly from the South Island.”

People in the central North Island awoke to frosts yesterday. Photo / Ben Fraser

Lyons said further into next week, the North Island’s temperatures would also follow the warming trend.

Yesterday, people awoke to frosts in the central North Island, where places like Rotorua, Taupō and Taumarunui dropped to around 0C or 1C.

Meanwhile, over the South Island this morning, conditions were not expected to be quite as cold, but some frost will likely linger in central areas.