Cyclone Freda has New Caledonia in its sights today and tomorrow after moving through the Solomon Islands during the weekend.

But computer models cannot yet agree whether Freda, the second cyclone of the South Pacific season, will have any major impact on northern New Zealand later in the week.

High winds and rain belted the Solomons over a 36 hour period with a band of thunderstorms as well.

This morning Freda was being felt strongly in the Rennell Islands as a Category 2 Cyclone however these islands often lie in the path of cyclones and are seemingly well prepared for these events.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes the winds could now see it peak as a Category 3 Cyclone but this evening verging on a Cat. 4 as winds and rain ramp up another gear and by then Freda should be at its peak.

It is expected to bring winds averaging close to 170 kph with gusts up to 250 kph near its centre today but higher gusts could see it peak near 270kph tonight.

Weatherwatch.co.nz is also continuing to track Freda and will give constant updates on her whereabouts especially if she draws closer towards New Zealand.

WeatherWatch.co.nz