Tropical Cyclone continues her slow weakening process as she begins to transition from a tropical cyclone into an extra-tropical cyclone.

Latest data from the government forecaster, MetService, puts her air pressure at 980hPa, indicating she has weakened a little quicker than originally predicted.

In saying that winds are still averaging 100km/h and WeatherWatch.co.nz estimates gusts are still climbing over 150km/h at times near the centre of the storm, which will track right near the Bay of Island and Tutukaka in the immediate hours after midnight tonight.

The storm remains a moderate category 2 cyclone, reports WeatherWatch.co.nz

Despite weakening today, MetService charts indicate the cyclone will weaken very little in the next 12 to 18 hours, and the cyclone still poses a very serious threat to New Zealand the eastern coastline of the upper North Island, from the Far North to East Cape.

So who is likely to be worst hit?

This basic graphic shows the area where Wilma’s winds will be at their strongest.  Wilma will weaken as she heads towards Gisborne – and will also accelerate her speed which could create stronger winds on the south eastern side of the low.

Winds within the two red lines are expected to be severe for a time, starting in the Far North later tonight, then eastern Northland in the early hours of Saturday.

On top of the winds MetService have a number of rain warnings out for the upper North Island, which you can find here.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts the centre of Wilma will lie east of Great Barrier Island, or north east of Coromandel Peninsula, around 7am Saturday morning then quickly move over East Cape around noon.

The storm’s fast movement means the risk of flooding and wind damage will be limited but please note the seas are incredibly dangerous and will likely pose the most serious threat to people and property.

Swells around the centre of the cyclone are estimated to be between 6 and 8 metres.  The average door inside your house is 2 metres high.

Dangerous waves, rips and currents will remains across the east coast of the upper North Island – mainly Northland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty – until at least the end of Sunday, even if the weather is calm and sunny on Sunday.

The tracking map (above) produced by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre this morning.

MetService tracking (right) as of 1am Saturday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts most northern areas won’t have very strong winds this afternoon but expects conditions will rapidly go downhill overnight for those in the north east.

It appears Wilma will track too far to the north east of Auckland city to cause too many serious problems wind-wise however winds may still be strong enough to break branches and cut powerlines for a time on Saturday morning – most likely in a window sometime between 3am and 9am.  WeatherWatch.co.nz believes a repeat of last weekend’s serious flooding is unlikely, but advises people in coastal areas to be prepared for extra high tides that could cause some coastal flooding.

Strong winds from the southerly quarter will affect all North Islanders tomorrow, with brisk winds in the South Island slowly easing.

Sunday looks settled for most of New Zealand.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz