Cyclone Gita: Worries for West Coast farms

Satellite views of cyclone Gita. Photo / Alex Burton

The centre of ex-tropical Cyclone Gita is currently about 200km west of the Tasman and is expected to make landfall this evening says Ben Noll.

Niwa's forecaster told Jamie Mackay on The Country that Cyclone Gita was the second of the season after Fehi. This meant New Zealand was officially "above average" - the long-term normal is one per year to pass near New Zealand.

Noll said the storm would bring "very heavy rain" and was expected to peak late tonight with flooding and slips predicted.

Wind was also a factor with flight delays and cancellations expected especially this evening in certain areas.

Noll said Cyclone Gita would bring "wide ranging impacts here, rain wind and waves to come here over the 12 to 18 hours."

Listen to Ben Noll's weather report below:

Meanwhile, on the West Coast of the South Island, The Country's dairy correspondent- turned weather reporter Andy Thompson pulled over just north of Hokitika to give his observations.

There was already significant rainfall, said Thompson, although the wind "hasn't really kicked up yet." There are predicted strong winds of up to 150kms near Whataroa, Hari Hari, Waitaha and Kokatahi said Thompson "which we're worried can cause some severe damage particularly to the farms in those areas."

NZTA were telling people to travel "only travel if you absolutely have to," said Thompson.

Listen to Andy Thompson's weather report below: