Severe Weather Warnings and Watches

Issued by MetService at 9:51am Friday 10 Apr 2026

Cyclone Vaianu expected on Sunday

Cyclone Vaianu is expected to move southwards across the North Island on Sunday, 12 April. The current track of the cyclone can be found at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/tropical-cyclone-activity.
Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula have been upgraded to a RED warning for wind.

The combination of damaging winds, heavy rain and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event. The locations of the most severe impacts associated with Cyclone Vaianu, such as power outages, falling trees, flooding, slips, road closures and isolated communities are highly dependent on the cyclone's track.

Strong Wind and Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings are in force for much of the North Island and upper South Island Sunday and early Monday. Further areas are likely to be upgraded to Orange or Red as the cyclone approaches and it's track becomes clearer.
People are urged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts, adjust plans as needed and be prepared to act, following all advice of local authorities.

Strong Wind Warning - Red

Area: Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island

Period: 13hrs from 5:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 6:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerly Sunday afternoon, with damaging gusts of 140km/h. Note winds easing from the north during Sunday afternoon.

Impact: Threat to life from flying items and falling trees. Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.

Action: Stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages.

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

Area: Auckland and Great Barrier Island

Period: 12hrs from 2:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 2:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain to accumulate. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/hr. Note, heavy swells and coastal inundation likely, especially about Great Barrier Island.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Area: Northland about and south of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour

Period: 12hrs from 9:00pm Saturday 11 Apr 2026 to 9:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Expect 50 to 80 mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h expected during Sunday morning.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Area: Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane including Rotorua

Period: 14hrs from 2:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 4:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Expect 150 to 180 mm to accumulate, especially about the ranges. Peak intensities of 20 to 30 mm/hr Sunday morning and early afternoon. Note, in addition to the wind and rain, large swells and coastal inundation are likely.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti north of Tolaga Bay

Period: 14hrs from 2:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 4:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Expect 150 to 180 mm of rain about the ranges, with 70 to 100 mm closer to the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h. Note, large swells and coastal inundation are likely.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Strong Wind Warning - Orange

Area: Auckland

Period: 19hrs from 9:00pm Saturday 11 Apr 2026 to 4:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerly Sunday afternoon, gusting 130km/h in exposed places.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

Area: Northland

Period: 15hrs from 11:00pm Saturday 11 Apr 2026 to 2:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Severe gale southeasterlies changing to severe gale southwesterlies during Sunday afternoon, gusting 130km/h in exposed places.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

Area: Taranaki and Wanganui

Period: 10hrs from 1:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 11:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Severe gale southeasterlies changing to severe gale southwesterly Sunday evening, gusting 120km/h in exposed places.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

Area: Waikato, Waitomo, Taupo and Taumarunui

Period: 12hrs from 10:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 10:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerly late afternoon or evening Sunday, gusting 120km/h in exposed places.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

Area: Bay of Plenty and Rotorua

Period: 15hrs from 4:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 7:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerly Sunday afternoon, gusting 130km/h in exposed places.
High chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and roofs likely, with disruption to transport and power supply. Dangerous driving conditions expected, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Secure items that can be picked up by strong winds. Take shelter and avoid unnecessary travel. Be prepared for power outages.

Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti, Hawke's Bay and Taihape

Period: 16hrs from 10:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 2:00am Monday 13 Apr 2026

Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerly Sunday afternoon or evening, gusting 130km/h in exposed places.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

Heavy Rain Watch - Yellow

Area: Marlborough Sounds, including northeastern areas north of Kaikoura

Period: 10hrs from 2:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 12:00am Monday 13 Apr 2026

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Area: Northland north of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour

Period: 12hrs from 7:00pm Saturday 11 Apr 2026 to 7:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Area: Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupo and Taranaki

Period: 12hrs from 8:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 8:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Area: Waikato

Period: 15hrs from 3:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 6:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Area: Wairarapa, including the Tararua District, also eastern and southern parts of Wellington

Period: 12hrs from 11:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 11:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Area: Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatane

Period: 15hrs from 6:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 9:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Large swells and coastal inundation are likely.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti about and south of Tolaga Bay, Hawke's Bay ranges, and coastal hills south of Napier

Period: 16hrs from 2:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 6:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach or exceed warning criteria. Large swells and coastal inundation are likely.
High chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Strong Wind Watch - Yellow

Area: Wairarapa, including the Tararua district

Period: 21hrs from 12:00pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 9:00am Monday 13 Apr 2026

Forecast: Easterly quarter winds turning west to southwesterly. Winds are likely to reach severe gale in exposed places and may be damaging.
High chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

Area: Manawatu, Kapiti Coast and Wellington

Period: 19hrs from 11:00am Sunday 12 Apr 2026 to 6:00am Monday 13 Apr 2026

Forecast: Easterly quarter winds turning west to southwesterly. Winds are likely to reach severe gale in exposed places and may be damaging.
High chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

An update for severe weather will be issued by: 9:00pm Friday 10 Apr 2026

A service provided through a contract with the Crown

Action advice supplied by the National Emergency Management Agency.

(C) Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd 2026