13/04/2026
Covering period of Monday 13th - Thursday 16th April

The latest track of Cyclone Vaianu shows the centre offshore, continuing south away from Aotearoa New Zealand. Watches and Warnings associated with Vaianu have now been lifted. However, a new Heavy Rain Watch has been issued for western parts of the North Island for Monday afternoon.

On Sunday, Cyclone Vaianu brought destructive winds, heavy rain and large swell to parts of Aotearoa New Zealand. Hardest hit were the exposed coastal regions of the Bay of Plenty as Vaianu approached from the North.

• Great Mercury Island had maximum wind gusts of 133km/h. 
• Māhia had maximum wind gusts of 126 km/h. 
• Gisborne Airport had maximum wind gusts of 102km/h. 
• Whakatāne had wind gusts of 94km/h, before the station went offline for several hours. 
• The Pinnacles weather station, in Coromandel Forest Park, accumulated 332mm in the 24 hours between 4pm Saturday and 4pm Sunday.

The centre of Vaianu moved onshore over the Bay of Plenty close to the Maketu Peninsula just after 2pm on Sunday, with a central pressure of around 978hPa. Vaianu continued its journey across the North Island before heading offshore from Hawke’s Bay around 6pm.

While the weather from Cyclone Vaianu has now cleared from our shores, eyes turn to the west as showers and thunderstorms move up the country.

MetService Meteorologist Michael Pawley forecasts “The next few days we can expect showers, especially in the west. These could be heavy, with possible thunderstorms and hail, as a series of fronts roll in from the Tasman Sea.”

MetService has a Heavy Rain Watch in place for Northern Taranaki, Waitomo, Taumarunui, and Taupō west of the Lake until this evening (Monday).

With a showery setup over the next few days, keep an eye on the latest forecasts and weather radar at www.metservice.com

Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) - take cover now:

• This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
• When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
• Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
• In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!

Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:

• When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
• In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!

Orange Warnings are about taking action:

• When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
• Typically issued 1 - 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
• In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action.

Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action

• Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
• Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
• During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.

Watches are about being alert:

• When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
• Typically issued 1 - 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
• During a Watch: Stay alert

Outlooks are about looking ahead:

• To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
• Issued routinely once or twice a day
• Recommendation: Plan

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