Big waves are due to hit New Zealand's coast as a Pacific cyclone passes the country. Photo / file

Big waves, baking temperatures forecast as cyclone moves by NZ

Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2020, 11:31AM

Cyclone Tino's path across the Pacific is expected to send big swells and rips New Zealand's way from today - and there are fears weak swimmers could be caught unawares.

The cyclone was expected to be downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone some time today, according to Weatherwatch.

While it would pass well to the east of New Zealand, it would be a bigger storm with lower air pressure, the forecaster said.

"This new deepening cold-centred low is what will be helping to create bigger waves and rips around eastern NZ in the days ahead."

Dangerous beach conditions may be churned up on the east coast from Northland through to Wairarapa.

"While increased swells may not be that great compared to the more rugged West Coast storms, even an additional metre or so of wave height could create much more difficulty swimming with younger and older people and weaker swimmers etc, especially in beaches which may traditionally been seen as 'safe' and 'calm'."

#CycloneTino's remnants to churn up some eastern #NewZealand beaches Monday to Wednesday (+4 Maps) https://t.co/pP4IzVM0WA via @weatherwatchnz #TINO #NZ
— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) January 18, 2020

MetService also anticipated swells of between 2-3m over Monday and Tuesday due to the large storm in the east.

Today's weather is expected to be settled across the country, with baking hot temperatures in much of the North Island.

Auckland and Hamilton had their hottest days of the summer on Sunday, but are tipped to get even hotter today, with 30C predicted in the Waikato and 28C in Auckland.

That hot, calm weather is expected to send people to the beach, prompting warnings from Surf Life Saving NZ.

Children, small dogs and the elderly were most at risk of being knocked over by huge waves today, the organisation warned. Surges could come up well past the high tide mark.

East Cape, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay would likely be most affected by the swells - but they would also be a little cooler with cloud and some drizzle, clearing in the afternoon or evening, according to Weatherwatch.

The South Island could also expect a sunny day although temperatures won't reach the extremes of the North Island.