• Cyclone Cody, currently over waters to the north of New Zealand, remains a deep, intense low pressure system despite losing its tropical cyclone characteristics this morning. This does not mean it has weakened or been downgraded. Cyclone Cody still has gale to storm force winds and very heavy rain south of its centre.

• Latest guidance suggests Cyclone Cody may track just to the east of Gisborne on Monday. This is further east than what was forecast yesterday. This would lessen the impacts for some. However, the range of possible tracks still includes the eastern North Island (indicated by the blue shaded area in the track map below). http://bit.ly/TropicalCycloneActivity

• Regardless of the eventual track, there is high confidence of large easterly swells affecting eastern coastlines of the North Island with the potential for hazardous waves and rip currents from Saturday onwards. Where the heaviest rain and strongest wind eventuates is more dependent on the track. A small shift westwards or eastwards will affect the location and intensity of impacts.

• At this stage a Heavy Rain Watch has been issued for Gisborne and the Wairoa District, as well as a Strong Wind Watch for northern Gisborne and eastern Bay of Plenty, both starting at midnight Sunday. Keep up to date over the next few days with the latest severe weather information here http://bit.ly/AllWarnings.

By: MetService