Depression near northern Cook Islands likely to become cyclone

A tropical depression near the Northern Cook Islands is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone in the next 12 hours.

The Fiji Meteorological Service says the depression is currently sitting 20 nautical miles west/northwest of Penrhyn moving southeast at about 12 knots.

It's expected to turn to the south.

Gale force winds are being forecast for Penrhyn.