Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is "intensifying" as global weather models continue to align on the storm's track.
In its latest update this morning, MetService warned Gabrielle is "swirling & intensifying in the Coral Sea".
"Gabrielle is still expected to move southeastward & likely to start impacting the upper North Island from Sunday," the forecaster said.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology currently has the tropical cyclone at category 1 in strength with sustained winds near the centre of 85km/h and wind gusts to 120km/h.
"Gabrielle is forecast to intensify to Category 2 early Thursday morning and then become a severe tropical cyclone later on Thursday," the bureau said.
The weather system threatening the North Island has now officially formed into a named tropical cyclone. (Source: 1News)
NIWA also gave an update this morning, illustrating how global weather models are aligning on a track for Gabrielle.
Most of the tracking has the tropical cyclone impacting the upper North Island on Monday into Tuesday.
A more concrete track for Gabrielle is expected to be locked in by Saturday at the latest, and possibly by the end of tomorrow.
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