Tropical Cyclone, Arthur, is expected to intensify in the southern islands in the Cook Islands.
Cyclone Arthur is around five hundred kilometres from the main island Rarotonga and moving east south east at 22 knots.
Damaging gale force winds are expected to hit Aitutaki Mauke and other smaller islands over the next 24 hours with winds of up to 100 kilometres an hour forecast for the southern Cooks.
The Cook Islands head forecaster, Arona Ngari, says on its current track, it is expected to affect the Cook Islands for up to two and a half days.
"The alert is for the islands of Palmerston, Suwarrow, Aitutaki, while Mangaia and Rarotonga have warnings for strong winds."
Arona Ngari, Cook Islands head forecaster.
