The tropical cyclone that has formed in the Southern Ocean is not expected to affect New Zealand at this stage.
But while it might not impact New Zealand, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) warns the storm has the potential to be a Severe Category 4 Tropical Cyclone.
"It is not yet locked in if it will reach that strength, but long-range international modelling has been showing this for much of the past week and today the Fiji Met Service matched JTWC in saying a Severe Cyclone (Cat 3) was likely," WeatherWatch said.
The tropical cyclone formed over the Santa Cruz islands, north of Vanuatu, on Sunday afternoon and the Fiji Meteorological Service named it Cyclone Lola.
The storm is expected to affect the northern and possibly central islands of Vanuatu and the eastern side of the Solomons, according to JTWC.
At this stage, WeatherWatch says it's "unclear" if the storm will make it to New Zealand, but current modelling shows it "falling apart" as it heads out of the tropics.
"El Niño tends to put more high pressure between NZ and Australia… a bit like an invisible brick wall in the sky to make it harder for tropical cyclones to reach NZ," WeatherWatch said.
"It is possible the leftovers of this tropical low may track into or near NZ... it will very likely fall apart or weaken significantly.
"At this stage all modelling shows the storm falling apart as it heads out of the tropics and becoming a fairly weak sub-tropical low."
WeatherWatch stressed it doesn't expect Cyclone Lola to be another Cyclone Gabrielle for New Zealand.
WeatherWatch acknowledged those who had been affected in the North Island's storms and floods earlier this year, adding that "anxiety levels and PTSD are real for many".
Cyclone Lola is only the seventh South Pacific cyclone to be named in October since 1970. Cyclone season typically runs from 1 November to 30 April.
