Cyclone Cook to bring strong winds to Hawke's Bay

Rain and/or wind warnings have been issued across the North Island./File

Metservice has issued a severe weather warning for strong wind in Hawke's Bay this morning, with gusts of 140km/hr or more expected.

A severe weather watch remains in place for heavy rain throughout the region.

Metservice meteorologist Lisa Murray said that if current predictions and modelling were correct, Hawke's Bay would not receive more than 100mm of rain in 24 hours.

The rain watch was put in place as if the weather system changed from its course even slightly, more rain would fall in the region.

"We're concerned that it could get to that but for now we're sticking with this."

The wind warning applies from this evening through to early tomorrow morning.

Cyclone Cook is currently moving south towards the centre of the North Island.

Ms Murray said it was not all bad news for Hawke's Bay, however.

"This is going to move through really quickly," she said.

Periods of sun are likely for the region tomorrow as the rain clears, and the Metservice advice was simply to wait before going away for the weekend.

"If you can, just wait until Friday before leaving," Ms Murray said.

She also advised motorists to check with the NZTA in case of slips and road closures before heading out on the roads.

Gales are likely to be worst along the coast and in exposed areas.

Unison Networks has advised that power cuts are possible and its customers should have an emergency kit ready with battery-operated torches, radios and gas bottles for cooking.

The Bay of Plenty and Coromandel would likely experience the worst of the storm, with a state of emergency declared in the region.

Metservice has issued severe rain and/or wind warnings for much of the North Island, including Northland, Auckland, and Waikato.