High swells and wind anticipated for Western Bay

Mount Main beach on Sunday afternoon before Cyclone Pam reaches the Bay. Photo/George Novak.

Massive swells of up to 7 metres and winds of up to 110km/h are expected to batter the Western Bay overnight as Cyclone Pam makes its way past New Zealand.

The cyclone, which tore through Vanuatu leaving a trail of death and destruction, was downgraded to a category 4 cyclone.

Free sand bags are now available and can be picked up from the Phoenix car park in Mount Maunganui and at Downer Depo on Taurikura Drive in Tauriko.

Sand bags in Tauriko are pre-filled however people are advised to bring a shovel if collecting sand bags from the Mount.

Leigh Matheson, MetService meteorologist, said south-easterly winds would strengthen in the Western Bay overnight and would continue through tomorrow, gusting up to 100km/h.

Monday morning would bring strong southerlies with moderate rain of 2 to 3mm per hour, she said.

Mrs Matheson estimated between 20 and 30 mm would fall between tomorrow and Tuesday.

Rain was expected to ease to showers tomorow afternoon when wind gusts would increase to 110km/h before easing in the evening, she said.

"Over 24 hours, its not much (rain). It's a nice amount if you've had a bit of a dry spell. It would be welcome I'm sure but it's not going to inundate you, you are not going to drown."

Massive swells were set to batter the coastline, she said.

"The swell would rise to about 6 meters by 7am and could even get up to 7m as you push in through the morning."

The swell would ease later drop off to about 3m in the evening, she said.

"The waves are getting pretty big around high tide time about 4am but not when people are crawling out of bed."

The beach would certainly be a dangerous place tomorrow morning, she said.

Tauranga Coastguard operations Simon Barker advised boat owners to make sure their vessels were well tied up and to keep an eye on the weather.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence has urged residents to ensure they are adequately prepared in response to the severe weather warning metservice has issued for the Bay of Plenty region.

The Civil Defence would continue to monitor the storm overnight and this morning and asked Bay of Plenty residents to post any updates on their Facebook page: facebook.com/BOPCivilDefence

Sue-Ellen Craig, group public information manager for Bay of Plenty Civil Defence said while there was still some uncertainty as to how close to the North Island the cyclone would track.

"It has the potential to be a significant event therefore residents are strongly urged to prepare accordingly."

Earlier: The Bay of Plenty is expecting 30mm of rain but with gales of up to 100km/h over the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Pam was currently 800km north of Cape Reinga earlier this morning and was moving south east at about 52 km/h. It is forecasted to head southeast and pass to the east of New Zealand tomorrow and Tuesday.

Although the cyclone had been down graded to a category four the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence has urged residents to ensure they are adequately prepared in response to the severe weather warning Metservice has issued for the Bay of Plenty region.

As Tropical Cyclone Pam continues its southwards track, the severe weather warning forecast for the Bay of Plenty includes southeast gales gusting 100km/h with rain expected of 30 to 40mm to accumulate in the western Bay region.

MetService meteorologist Chelsea Glue said the brunt of the storm would hit Tauranga between 6pm tonight and 9pm Monday.

Thirty to 50mm of rain is expected at the Tauranga Airport.

"Winds would pick up this afternoon and increasingly intensify over night, there could be gusting of up to 100km by morning," she said.

To track the Cyclone Pam in realtime click here:

Strong southeast winds and rain are expected over much of the North Island tonight as well and Monday along with extremely large seas about the east coast, said a severe weather warning issued by MetService this morning.

Current path of TC Pam at 11:57am. Image/EarthWindMap

Rivers and streams will rise rapidly and surface flooding and slips are likely as well as hazardous driving conditions.

Gusts around 160km/h or possibly more about the eastern Bay of Plenty are expected, and MetService warn winds of this strength are likely to cause damage to trees and power lines, and could potentially lift roofs.

A weather watch is also in alert for dangerous coastal conditions.

Metservice said people should be aware that unusually heavy swells and very large waves are expected to affect the east coast of the North Island.

"Waves of this size have significant potential to cause coastal erosion and damage, especially when combined with gales and storm surge.

"Anyone considering venturing near the water should take extra precautions and be sure to check the latest coastal marine forecast for expected adverse conditions."

Secure or move indoors any large heavy objects outside that could blow around in high winds, like outdoor furniture and rubbish bins. Turn trampolines upside down.