An intensifying cyclone is making a beeline for Auckland and Northland this weekend, as heavy rain falls across the top of the country.

More than half a dozen watches and warnings are in place for the North Island and top of the South Island through midweek, while a separate cyclone is set to “directly hit” Northland and Auckland later this week.

MetService says it is monitoring two tropical cyclones currently active in Pacific waters.

Spokeswoman Heather Keats told Ryan Bridge TODAY Cyclone Vaianu, currently northwest of Fiji, is set to hit the North Island this weekend.

“As it gets upgraded, it will then drop into our neck of the woods ... it’s looking to track directly over Northland and Auckland and will have likely have quite an impact on New Zealand.”

She said Vaianu was currently a Category 2 storm but was likely to be upgraded to a Category 3 – or higher – by this afternoon.

“When it comes down over Northland and Auckland this weekend, it will hold its Category 2, which is highly unusual.”

Cyclone Vaianu and Cyclone Maila. Photo / Himawari-8 

Two active tropical cyclones 

Vaianu is about 600km northwest of Nadi in Fiji, with Metservice having warned it’s set to make direct impact with the top of the North Island this weekend.

Forecasters say it is too early to lock in a definite path for Vaianu, other than it is currently tracking to directly hit Northland and Auckland.

The cyclone is expected to deliver strong winds, large swells and heavy rain.

“It’s definitely one to be mindful of, especially with school holidays,” a forecaster said.

Another cyclone Maila, Category 3, is currently slow-moving in the Solomon Sea, which Metservice says “won’t have any bearing on New Zealand weather”.

These warnings come after the Northland region recently suffered widespread flooding, with settlements in Whangārei and the Far North cut off and more than 80 homes damaged.

Both districts declared states of emergency following the severe weather.

20 hours heavy rain for Northland 

MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Northland, where up to 120mm of rain could fall until 6pm 

A strong wind watch is also in place for the region, where east to northeast winds could approach severe gale strength in exposed places. 

Meteorologist Paris Marshall said rain was expected to reach the Far North overnight before spreading through the North Island today. 

“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly.” 

Northland could also see surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions, she said. 

Civil Defence Northland said the region has recorded 30 to 60mm of rain so far, mainly in eastern areas, with more on its way. 

“Roads and river levels remain generally stable, however there is a lot of surface water around, especially in the east, and the ground is still quite saturated. 

“Thunderstorms and localised downpours are still possible and could lead to rapidly rising rivers and streams, localised surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions.” 

Periods of heavy rain are expected for the upper North Island and the upper South Island. Photo / MetService 

There have been no reports of major incidents or power outages so far. 

Further south, a heavy rain watch has been issued for Auckland north of Papakura, including Great Barrier Island, with rain expected to arrive from around 9am. 

The watch also covers the Coromandel Peninsula from midday until 6am tomorrow morning. 

In the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne, including Rotorua, a heavy rain watch is in place from 3pm until 6pm tomorrow, where rainfall may reach warning levels in some areas. 

A separate watch covers the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatāne from 1am Wednesday morning until 11am on Thursday. 

The tail end of the weather system is expected to reach the northern South Island later today, with heavier rain forecast for Tasman, particularly northwest of Motueka from 6pm. 

Marshall said most of the South Island would escape the worst of the rain, although drizzly and overcast conditions were expected along the east coast, including Canterbury.