Ex-Cyclone Fili is likely to track directly over - or very close to - the North Island midway through this coming week, says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

The ex-cylone is expected to be bringing with it severe wind and rain risks and dangerous marine conditions as the storm re-energises into a bigger low pressure system.

"Latest computer modelling shows Fili's centre moving more eastwards than in other updates in previous days," says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

"For those watching the models closely the GFS (American) model has been slowly sliding to align with the ECMWF (European) model for the past two days.

"The more these two giant weather models align the more confidence NZ forecasters have at being specific about areas most in harms way."

Rain and flooding expected in east North Island

Heavy rain is once again forecast to hit the eastern side of the North Island, including similar areas recently hit by severe flooding.

"Totals are still being locked in and there is no warning in force yet, but latest IBM data exclusive to WeatherWatch.co.nz shows the potential for rainfall exceeding 200mm in some parts of Hawke's Bay and Gisborne region," says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

"We'll have a clearer idea on Monday about this.

"Pockets of heavy rain are also possible elsewhere in the upper North Island, but there's a fine line between mostly dry weather and Fili's heavy rain risks, with most of the South Island looking significantly drier."

Severe gales

"The storm will move in on Tuesday or Wednesday with gales from the easterly quarter," says a WeatherWatch spokesperson. "These will turn more southerly with a potentially damaging sting in the tail on Wednesday/Thursday as southerly quarter winds kick in from Cook Strait to Auckland and ramp up more as the storm now deepens."

WeatherWatch says that the entire North Island has some risk of severe gales.

"The precise tracking of the centre of the storm will help forecasters lock in which areas will be most impacted by damaging winds and those details will start to emerge in the coming day or two."

Impacts

WeatherWatch advise that there are likely to be slips, isolated flooding and road disruptions this coming week in the North Island.

"Power outages are also possible with winds strong enough to bring down trees and branches. Flights may also be delayed and cancelled along with Cook Strait ferry services.

"This storm, while quite fast moving, has the potential to cause disruptions to power and travel across parts of the North Island this week."

Making sense of it all with local forecasts

"Sometimes all the opposing computer models and maps can be confusing," says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

"WeatherWatch.co.nz uses IBM data, which is the most accurate weather forecast data on earth. Our super computer "IBM Watson" crunches international and local data to help create the most likely forecast for your specific area.

"So if you need to keep up to date with wind gusts, rainfall, barometric pressure and more - for 10 days out - see the hourly forecast data at both WeatherWatch.co.nz and RuralWeather.co.nz."

The next WeatherWatch update is due on Monday morning by 7am in their Weather News Headlines update, then more specific information and maps will be published mid morning. Their next weather video will also be published by lunchtime Monday.