The first tropical depression of this year’s SW Pacific cyclone season may also grow into the first tropical cyclone of the season reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

The latest forecast out of Nadi from the Fiji Meteorological Service has upgraded their prediction yesterday saying there is now a “High chance” TD01F will grow into a Tropical Cyclone this weekend between Vanuatu and Fiji.

However WeatherWatch.co.nz says latest computer models produced by organisations around the world show the low not reaching the intensity to become a tropical cyclone.

It will certainly be an area to watch though, with the depression tracking very slowly over warmer than average waters between Vanuatu and Fiji.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts that thunderstorms and torrential rain will affect Vanuatu and western Fiji over the weekend.

WeatherWatch.co.nz also maintains the tropical depression will reach New Zealand around Wednesday and Thursday bringing some rain to dry parts of the nation.

In yesterday’s Tropical Cyclone Outlook WeatherWatch.co.nz predicted “low confidence” of the depression bring “storm conditions” to New Zealand but had “moderate confidence” that it would bring rain to dry regions across northern New Zealand on Thursday.  That prediction remains the same today.

We’ll closely monitor the low and bring you another update this evening.