Warning: GALE warning for COOK NIL warning for STEPHENS

Situation: A ridge spreads onto New Zealand today. A low approaches the North Island on Saturday from the Tasman Sea and moves across the North Island early Sunday, followed by a strong disturbed westerly flow over the country. The flow turns southwest over the area late Monday.

Forecast: Strong wind advisory. Friday: Northerly 10 knots rising to 15 knots tonight. Sea slight. Mainly fine. Fair visibility in a few showers developing tonight. Saturday: Northerly 15 knots rising to northwest 25 knots gusting 35 knots in the morning, easing to 20 knots gusting 30 knots at night. Slight sea becoming rough in the morning and moderate at night. Cloudy periods, fair visibility in isolated showers.

Outlook: Outlook until midnight Tuesday: Sunday: Tending westerly and rising to 30 knots. A few showers early showers, then mainly fine. Monday: Westerly easing to 20 knots in the evening. Mainly fine. Tuesday: Changing southwest 30 knots. Showers developing.

Swell: Swell forecast to midnight Tuesday: Northwest 1 metre developing Saturday and rising to 2 metres late Sunday or early Monday, then easing to half a metre on Tuesday. Southwest 1 metre developing Tuesday.

High tide at Karehana Bay
Time: 8:58pm Friday 24 May 2013 - Height: 1.7m
Time: 9:19am Saturday 25 May 2013 - Height: 1.7m