MetService says those in the upper North Island should prepare for strong wind gusts and heavy rain as ex-Tropical Cyclone Lola begins to make itself felt. 

The tail of ex-Tropical Cyclone Lola, which caused extensive damage as it smashed through parts of Vanuatu earlier this week, has merged with another trough as it bears down on the upper North Island.

MetService has issued several severe weather warnings as a result, with heavy rain warnings in place for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula from later today into tomorrow morning and for Tai Rāwhiti/Gisborne, from Tolaga Bay northwards, throughout Monday and into the evening.

A strong wind warning is also in place for Northland, with easterly gales expected to hit Auckland, north of Whangaparaoa, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula later on Sunday as the weather system slowly moves south.

MetService meteorologist Clare O'Connor said the remnants of Cyclone Lola had "picked up a bit of another system" as it approached New Zealand and the combination of the two was causing the bad weather.

While things would not get as bad as they had in Vanuatu, people should keep up to date with the latest forecasts, she said.

MetService said damaging easterly gusts of 130 kilometres an hour could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures in exposed places and eastern coastlines were likely to get large waves.

Strong wind gusts were expected to affect Auckland Harbour Bridge between 5pm Sunday and midday Monday, Waka Kotahi said, with speed and lane restrictions likely.

Temporary full closures of the bridge might also be required if there were severe winds gusts of over 90km/h.

Some power outages were being reported in Auckland north of the Harbour Bridge.

Gisborne would be next in line for heavy rain from early on Monday morning, persisting into the evening, MetService said.

Heavy rain watches were also due to come into effect for the area of Tai Rāwhiti - south of Tolaga Bay - and the western ranges of Hawke's Bay, from late on Monday morning.

This story was originally posted by RNZ News