Aitutaki and Palmerston in Cook Islands have been told to prepare for a possible tropical cyclone bringing winds of up to 50 knots.
A tropical depression, which has been passing through the northern Cooks over the past four days, is now strengthening and expected to become a tropical cyclone later today.
Winds are forecast to gust up to 50 knots on Palmerston on Friday afternoon and evening, with heavy rain and rough to very rough seas.
Similar weather is expected at Aitutaki, which was battered by Cyclone Pat two weeks ago, from Saturday morning.
