Two tropical cyclones are potentially developing in the South Pacific this week, but MetService says the risk of directly impacting New Zealand is relatively low.

'However, there is a lot to happen before the [cyclone] tracks become certain, so things could change,” MetService says in a tweet.

MetService meteorologist John Law says it's not unusual at this time of year to have activity up in the tropics.

At this stage a tropical low to the north of Fiji is expected to move west, towards Vanuatu during Monday and Tuesday, and there remains a high risk for it to become a tropical cyclone.

The system is expected to recurve south and remain close to Vanuatu during Tuesday and Wednesday, and is likely to reach severe tropical cyclone category.

Another tropical low over the Coral Sea is expected to move east and move across close to Vanuatu late next week, MetService says.

John says at this stage there is still some uncertainty on what the impact to New Zealand would be, but MetService would be closely monitoring the weather system and the situation in the tropics closely.

Potentially 2 tropical cyclones developing this week. At this stage, the risk of either directly impacting New Zealand is relatively low. However, there is a lot to happen before the tracks becomes certain so things could change. https://t.co/7wKJumOqMX is updated daily. ^SG pic.twitter.com/Rohi2kb1VH

— MetService (@MetService) February 26, 2023

He says there could be an increase in swells and some stronger winds.

Parts of the upper South Island and North Island are also being warned to brace for more heavy rain, just as some regions continue to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle.

MetService has issued a severe weather watch for some parts of the upper South Island and the North Island, but it is the flood-ravaged areas of Gisborne and the Coromandel Peninsula that are most at risk.

'Surface flooding is not an unreasonable expectation as another complex trough moves through the North Island,” says MetService meteorologist Alex Holden..

'It's already really wet, so this will just be piling it on.”

From 3am on Monday through to 6am on Tuesday, periods of heavy rain with the possibility of thunderstorms are set to hit Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards.

'There's still some uncertainly around whether the watch will have to be extended further south, but we're predicting that the majority of the impacts will be seen in northern areas,” says Alex.

As the tropics become more active, we also need to focus on rain that's forecast over the next 36 hours.

Low pressure well to our northeast will result in moist onshore winds & rain for the upper/east of the North Island.

For some, rain may be heavy.

Purple = heaviest. pic.twitter.com/5SAVO1uQoD

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 26, 2023

The rain will then travel on to the Coromandel Peninsula, with MetService issuing a heavy rain watch from 9am on Monday through to 3am on Tuesday.

These rain watches are the result of a new tropical low forming to the north-east of New Zealand by Fiji, which MetService is warning could develop into another cyclone.

'As things stand, the new tropical low is sideswiping us, hitting Gisborne and the Coromandel.

'It's bringing with it a raft of moist warm air, which is clipping these parts of the country and exciting the rain totals.”

Another cyclone forming would be tough news those in regions that were hit by Cyclone Gabrielle or by the flooding on Auckland Anniversary weekend.

Get your household ready for this evening's rain. Clean out gutters and drains to reduce the risk of them overflowing.
We will continue to keep you informed as we get intel from @MetService. https://t.co/lgoNyQVPWo

— Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) (@AucklandCDEM) February 25, 2023

Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) is encouraging Aucklanders to make the most of the clear weather to continue with clean-up efforts, ahead of more potential rain on the way.

'Get your household ready for this evening's rain,” AEM warned in a tweet posted on Sunday morning.

Twelve people stayed at civil defence centres around Auckland on Saturday night, according to AEM.

Power has been partially restored in Karekare and Vector is continuing to work to restore the rest of the network as quickly as possible.

There are intermittent power outages in Piha with partial power restored. Most of Muriwai has now been reconnected.

Welfare drops via helicopter will continue this week (weather dependent) to deliver water, fuel, food and other essential items, AEM says.

In Karekare, a welfare mission is being planned for Monday, including trauma counselling, with Te Whatu Ora and Salvation Army.

Karekare in Auckland's west cost was hit particularly hard by Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: David White/Stuff.

Auckland Transport urged Aucklanders to avoid traveling this weekend to communities with significant road closures still in place, and particularly along the West Coast of Auckland.

Access to Karekare, Piha, Te Henga Bethells Beach, Muriwai, Anawhata, Huia, Little Huia and Whatipū remains compromised.

Katie Ham and Catrin Owen/Stuff.