A strong wind watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty as Cyclone Gita bears down on New Zealand.
Cyclone Gita, currently located over the Tasman Sea, is forecast to track southeastwards and cross central New Zealand late Tuesday and early Wednesday.
The passage of Gita is expected to bring a period of high-impact severe weather to many parts of central New Zealand, says the MetService.
"Heavy rain will cause slips, rapidly rising streams and rivers, and flooding.Severe gales with damaging gusts are expected, so people are advised to secure property and items that may be blown away by strong winds.
"There is also the potential for coastal inundation with high tide overnight Tuesday and before dawn on Wednesday, due to the combination of tides, low air-pressure, strong onshore winds and large waves in excess of 6 metres in some places.
"For the North Island, coastal areas from Raglan southwards to southern Wairarapa are most at risk.
"For the South Island, the risk of coastal inundation is greatest for areas from Buller and North Canterbury northwards."
#TCGita transitions into an ordinary Low pressure centre Tuesday night. As it crosses central New Zealand, it brings significant swells to many central and western areas, as well as the east coast of the South Island. Here's a swell forecast for Tuesday around 11pm. ^AB pic.twitter.com/5tKrxrBFv3
— MetService (@MetService) February 18, 2018
HEAVY RAIN WATCH
Area: Horowhenua/Kapiti and the Tararua Range
Valid: 24 hours from 1am Tuesday to 1am Wednesday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.
Area: Canterbury Plains including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, also North Otago
Valid: 15 hours from 1pm Tuesday to 4am Wednesday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.
STRONG WIND WATCH
Area: Northland, Auckland including Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupo
Valid: 6 hours from 1pm to 7pm Tuesday
Forecast: Northwesterlies may rise to severe gale in exposed places for a time.
Area: Bay Of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay
Valid: 9 hours from 6pm Tuesday to 3am Wednesday
Forecast: Northwest winds may rise to severe gale in exposed places for a time.
Area: Manawatu, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wellington and Wairarapa including the Tararua District
Valid: 8 hours from 7pm Tuesday to 3am Wednesday
Forecast: Northwesterlies may rise to severe gale in exposed places for a time.
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