New Zealand could be at some risk next week as tropical cyclone Fili forms near New Caledonia.
The cyclone is forecast to reach category 2 strength, although it is in an area where it could grow to "severe" category 3, WeatherWatch said.
"Fili is expected to track close to New Caledonia in the days ahead, then drift into the NZ area around Sunday or early next week," they said.
"It's unclear if it will directly impact NZ or remain at sea, with more modelling needed in the days ahead to confirm."
WeatherWatch head forecaster Philip Duncan said that as the cyclone comes into the New Zealand area, that's where it gets more complicated. There's a large high near Australia that's going to roll in across Aotearoa that will play a role in guiding exactly where the storm will end up.
"We're still a couple of days away from being able to work that out. Yesterday, the modelling showed New Zealand not at a risk, today there is definitely some risks for rain and wind."
The tropical cyclone was named Fili by the Fiji MetService and is tracking past New Caledonia towards the New Zealand area early next week.
The Fijian MetService said tropical cyclone Fili poses no threat to them.
"Tropical Depression 10F has intensified further into a tropical cyclone and named Tropical Cyclone Fili at midday today while located to the northwest of New Caledonia."
WeatherWatch added that in the days and weeks ahead, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, and New Zealand are most exposed to Fili's weather.
The recent category 3 tropical cyclone Dovi wreaked havoc across New Zealand. Many heavy rain warnings were issued across the country and thousands of homes across the North Island had no power.
