• A severe storm is barrelling towards Auckland and the upper North Island.
• The Fiji Meteorological Service has upgraded the storm to a Category One tropical cyclone named Tam.
• Expect strong winds over 100 km/h and heavy rainfall in the upper North Island.

The severe storm barreling towards the upper North Island has been upgraded to a tropical cyclone.

The Fiji Meteorological Service has named the storm “Tropical Cyclone Tam”.

NIWA Weather said Tam’s centre was expected to remain west of Cape Reinga.

“It will bring significant weather to the upper North Island late Wednesday to Thursday.

“This will include strong winds near or above 100 km/h and heavy rainfall.”

Weather warnings have been issued for Northland, Auckland and Aotea/Great Barrier Island. MetService said it was possible these could be upgraded as the storm gets closer.

“It’s going to be pretty substantial,” MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley told the Herald.

Monster waves are expected along the east coast from Northland to Gisborne with a 6m swell expected on Thursday.

Harbour Bridge risk, flooding possible, powerlines threatened

The Auckland Harbour Bridge could be closed or have speeds lowered at short notice and motorists should be careful on the roads, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said.

Flooding is possible, as well as damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures.

Auckland Transport said public transport could be affected due to a higher risk on the roads.

“MetService is expecting bad weather to hit Auckland from Wednesday to Friday,” a spokesperson said.

“We’re advising Aucklanders to be safe and plan ahead. There will be a higher safety risk out on the roads, and some public transport services may also be affected - especially ferries.”

An orange heavy rain warning will come into force for Northland at 3am tomorrow. An orange strong wind warning will begin in Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island at 3pm tomorrow.

There is a high chance these could be upgraded to red warnings, MetService said.

The Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau, Rotorua, Kaimāī Range, Waikato, Waitomo and Buller are also in the firing line.

Heavy rain watches have been issued from Auckland south to the Bay of Plenty for between 3am Thursday to midday Friday. Strong wind watches cover Coromandel to Taumarunui from midnight Wednesday to 6am Friday.

Auckland Emergency Management general manager Adam Maggs told Newstalk ZB that residents should prepare their houses for the storm.

“That means moving and securing outdoor furniture and clearing drains and gutters,” he said.

“If our community sees there is a stormwater blockage, call Auckland Council and we will be able to deal with that.”

Maggs also advised Auckland residents to put their rubbish bins out on the day of collection rather than the night before.

“That will reduce them blowing around our communities.”

He also said people should report downed trees on the Auckland Council website so arborists could quickly remove them.

Maggs suggested Auckland residents should create a plan and check their emergency supplies if power was to go out.

“Do you have a torch and a radio to listen to updates.”

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.