Tropical Cyclone Lusi pictured here having passed Vanuatu and heading straight for New Zealand. PHOTO/NOAA MTSAT IR
The Bay of Plenty is expected to be hit with 100mm of rain tomorrow as Tropical Cyclone Lusi makes its way south.
Cyclone Lusi is expected to move southwards today, bringing widespread heavy rain and easterly gales to the North Island from tonight and the upper South Island during Saturday.
The rain should spread quickly southwards, totalling more than 100mm in Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne by Sunday morning, the MetService says.
This will be a significant adverse weather event, affecting many parts of the country, and more severe weather warnings and watches will be issued in the coming days. The heavy rain is likely to cause slips and surface flooding, and the severe easterly gales could make driving hazardous, lift roofs, and bring down trees and powerlines.
You can track Cyclone Lusi in real time here
As Cyclone Lusi nears New Zealand the AA advises motorists to check road conditions before travelling this weekend and to take extra care if they venture out.
AA Motoring Affairs General Manager Mike Noon is urging people to check their driving route is free of incidents before travelling and suggests the best idea is to stay off the road during any extreme weather.
"It is important to find out if there is any flooding or trees across roads. With heavy rain and high winds predicted it is very likely that this will be the case in many places this weekend which will make travelling more risky."
For more information on road conditions motorists can visit www.roadwatch.co.nz
People are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution, and to stay up to date with the latest news.
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