Large swells and waves are expected to develop along the North Island east coast this weekend as a deep low tracks south east well off shore.

The low is intense enough to drive big swells for hundreds of kilometres from the centre.

At the centre of the low swells of over 8 metres are currently being generated, according to weathermap.co.nz.   By the weekend those swells will reach the eastern North Island.

Most exposed to the dangerous seas will be eastern parts of the North Island from East Cape to Wairarapa – with the Gisborne/East Cape region being most exposed.

Weathermap.co.nz predicts swells up to 3 metres could affect exposed beaches in the Gisborne / East Cape area on Monday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts sunny weather with a high of around 22 to 24 degrees on Sunday in the Gisborne region – meaning more people may be at the beach and unaware of the stormy weather offshore generating dangerous rips and waves locally.

Rough seas may also spread into Hawkes Bay on Sunday.

Map for 1pm Sunday shows swells of 2 to 3 metres moving in to the East Cape region.

For more detailed maps – which are zoomable – simply click the map above.

Image / weathermap.co.nz