Tropical Cyclone Pita tracking map. Photo: Fiji Meteorological Service
Category 1 tropical cyclone Pita is approaching Niue today.
On its current track the cyclone is expected to be around 480 kilometres east-southeast of Niue at 7pm Friday, local time.
The latest update includes warnings for gales, coastal inundation in northern and western coastal areas, and damaging heavy swell for the open waters of Niue.
A red alert for the country has been downgraded to blue.
Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms are also forecast, with rain clearing later today.
Meanwhile Tonga's metservice issued a tropical cyclone warning was for the Niuas, Vava'u and Ha'apai earlier this morning.
At 3am local time, Pita was located 450km east-northeast of Pangai (Ha'apai).
The system has a sustained wind of 30-35 knots (60 - 70km/hr) near the centre with gusts of up to 80-90 km/hr.
"Associated clouds, occasional rain with thunderstorms and strong to gale force winds will affect the Niuas, Vava'u and the Ha'apai Groups," the metservice said.
RNZ Pacific's cyclone watch service has now been activated.
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