Newstalk ZB
Forecasters are warning Kiwis to use the end of the week’s bright spot of sunshine to prepare for the impending arrival of “huge” weather event Cyclone Vaianu. Weather warnings for the North Island will come into force from 9pm tomorrow, when the first heavy rain is forecast to hit the country. Close to 20 heavy rain and wind watches will remain in place throughout Sunday - many of which have a high chance of being upgraded to an orange warning today. MetService meteorologist Alanah Burrows told the Herald the severe weather team has issued these widespread warnings as a “heads-up”. “We’ve kind of got this window of better weather just before it hits, so you could use this time wisely to prepare yourself. “You might want to think about getting prepared, tying down loose items outside, stocking up your home,” she said. “In those strong winds, you could have damage to power lines - you might want to get batteries, torches.” With potentially “life-threatening” winds on the way, she suggested checking in on neighbours and revising travel plans ahead of the “huge” weather event. “Because it’s the end of the holidays or it’s within the holidays, so maybe people should start considering their travel plans for the weekend.” Image of wind forecast for 6am, Sunday April 12, 2026. Image / NIWA Today’s weather across the top of the country will be relatively cloudy, with the possibility of showers in the afternoon for the west coast of Northland, southern Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. The first indications of the cyclone will make landfall tomorrow night as severe gale-force winds exceeding 110km/h begin in Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island. These extreme gusts will continue throughout Sunday, causing heavy swells and possible damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures. “We’re expecting widespread gales and heavy torrential rain across the North Island, and we’re very concerned about the impacts associated with that.” Cyclone Vaianu update Thu 9 Apr. The cyclone is still on track to bring heavy rain, strong winds, & big waves to NZ this weekend. Significant impacts likely. Stay safe.Full video: https://t.co/42mBpxXp34 pic.twitter.com/mRD4a9Bjwb— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 9, 2026 The tropical cyclone will be accompanied by a humid air mass, with several “quite warm and sticky” nights ahead for the North Island. Taupō will be a staggering 10C hotter than usual, while Auckland and Gisborne will both be sitting at 6C above average. “It might be not so restful - a bit harder to sleep when it’s quite warm,” she said. In the South Island, today’s weather will be largely fine and sunny despite some morning cloud, which will continue into tomorrow for most of the region. Fiordland can expect a bit of rain in the far southwest overnight, and northern areas like Nelson and Marlborough might see “the odd spot of rain”. By Sunday, some of the rain and stronger winds might touch the northernmost areas of the island, but for central areas it will mainly be dry. “Probably central South Island’s going to be the best of the country for Sunday, but that is subject to change depending on the path of the low.”
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