Coasties might want to tie down the trampoline and check in on neighbours—Cyclone Tam is tracking south and bringing a rough mix of wind and rain with it.

Strong easterly and northeasterly winds are already moving through Northland and Auckland.

Gusts near the Harbour Bridge could reach 100 km/h today and may push beyond that on Thursday.

The wind is strong enough to damage trees, fences, and powerlines, and could make travel tricky in exposed areas.

Alongside the wind comes dangerous sea conditions.

Large swells of 5 to 6 metres are forecast for coastal areas from North Cape down to Coromandel, with the highest risk around high tide.

MetService is warning of the potential for coastal flooding and erosion, especially as extra wind-driven waves arrive tonight and into Thursday.

The rain has already made itself known in Northland, which is under an Orange Heavy Rain Warning.

Coromandel and the Western Bay of Plenty are now also under warning, with northern Gisborne and northwest Tasman added to the list from Thursday evening.

Auckland is currently under a Watch for heavy rain.

On top of all that, thunderstorms could develop on Thursday across Northland and northern Auckland.

These could bring brief, intense bursts of rain and wind that make existing conditions worse.

Although Cyclone Tam has been reclassified now that it’s moved over cooler waters, it’s still a powerful system.

The change just means it’s no longer tropical—but the impacts remain serious.

What this means for locals:

You might see power cuts, rough surf, and fallen trees over the next couple of days.

Travel could be disrupted, and coastal spots may experience flooding or damage—especially at high tide.

It’s a good time to check your gutters, secure anything loose outside, and avoid the coast if you can.

MetService is encouraging people to stay up to date through their Severe Weather page and to follow advice from local authorities.

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