Warning: GALE warnings for COOK and STEPHENS

Situation: Strong to gale northwesterlies over the area turn cold southwest late Monday, then ease on Wednesday as a ridge develops. On Thursday, the ridge moves onto northern New Zealand and westerlies develop over central New Zealand.

Forecast: Gale warning. Sunday: Westerly 25 knots gusting 35 knots, rising to 35 knots gusting 45 knots this afternoon. Rough sea becoming very rough this afternoon. Fine weather. Monday: Northwest 35 knots gusting 45 knots easing to 25 knots gusting 35 knots in the afternoon and to southwest 15 knots in the evening. Very rough sea becoming rough in the afternoon and slight in the evening. Poor visibility in rain, and squally thunderstorms.

Outlook: Outlook until midnight Thursday: Tuesday: Southwest rising to 25 knots. Showers, clearing later. Wednesday: Southwest dying out early. Northwest 15 knots developing later. Fine. Thursday: Northwest rising to 20 knots. Fine.

Swell: Swell forecast to midnight Thursday: Northwest half a metre, rising to 3 metres Monday, then easing to 1 metre on Tuesday and to half a metre Wednesday. Southwest 1 metre developing on Tuesday, dying out on Wednesday.

High tide at Karehana Bay
Time: 10:37pm Sunday 26 May 2013 - Height: 1.7m
Time: 11:03am Monday 27 May 2013 - Height: 1.7m