Cyclone Cook could hit Hawke's Bay after it tracks past East Cape

Cows grazing during some morning fog at a farm near Pakipaki yesterday. Photo/ Duncan Brown.

Hawke's Bay could be in for another pounding of heavy rain if Cyclone Cook tracks across the region.

MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said although there is some uncertainty the latest model showed that Cyclone Cook was likely to hit Hawke's Bay late tomorrow night after hitting the East Cape.

"It depends where it tracks but there is the potential for heavy rain, damaging winds and large swells so the message is for people to stay up to date with weather watches and warnings."

As it moves southeast from the tropics towards New Zealand Cyclone Cook becomes a mid-latitude cyclone rather than a tropical cyclone.

"A tropical cyclone is typically more intense and is categorised based on satellite images and features but that doesn't mean Cyclone Cook won't bring severe weather."

The models were changing but at this stage Ms Flynn said Hawke's Bay would be very lucky if it missed the weather event.

"We can't nail down the specifics yet but the signs at the moment point to the cyclone eventuating."

Cyclone Cook comes just one week after Cyclone Debbie battered the region and country with flash flooding and heavy downpours.

Ms Flynn said the type of storm would be different from Cyclone Debbie with this one coming from the tropics not Australia.

But as for the intensity and amount of rain MetService was not yet sure if it would be similar as it depended on whether the cyclone tracked more east or west.

Earlier in the week veteran meteorologist Bob McDavitt said it may return with a vengeance and could even have torrential similarities to what Cyclone Bola had across eastern regions back in March 1988.

MetService had already put severe weather warnings and watches in place for parts of the country as a low moving across the Tasman was set to bring periods of heavy rain ahead of Cyclone Cook.

Bay of Plenty declared a state of emergency yesterday as up to 250mm of rain was expected to lash the region in the 48 hours from midday today.

Ms Flynn said Hawke's Bay would still get some rain today but the region was looking a lot more sheltered.

"People can expect some rain today and tomorrow but the heaviest falls will be in the ranges."

Rain was expected to fall on Good Friday but Saturday was expected to be a fine autumn day.

Due to the rain last week and the wet weather expected this week The Little Easy Ride in Waipukurau on Good Friday has been cancelled.

A post on The Big Easy Facebook's page said the rain from the previous week had made for a very muddy slippery ride.

"We don't want anyone to be riding on an unsafe track so sadly we have to cancel the ride."