The gloomy and rainy weather could most possibly clear out by Wednesday evening, according to the forecast by the Samoa Meteorological Services, but its heavy rain and flood advisory will remain.

The advisory issued by the S.M.S. is in place due to the saturation of water in the ground which means that even slightest amounts of rainfall could trigger floods.

“Such is due to the prevailing moist North Westerly wind flow with the convergence zone situated south of the area. There is still a possibility for heavy downpours, gusty periods and a few thunderstorms for tonight (Tuesday),” said the Met Office on its latest update.

“As for tomorrow, easing weather conditions is anticipated as the system migrates southward. Therefore, the highlighted advisories remain in force for all vulnerable areas.”

The Met Office predicts that the potential impact of the convergence system are heavy downpours with poor visibility, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways. Flooding and landslides are also possible.

Meanwhile, Samoans living in New Zealand are bracing for heavy rain and some strong winds, especially those living in the North Island.

The first storm system for 2023 formed in New Caledonia and was predicted to hit the North Island by Wednesday. However, the system has lost strength and has been downgraded to a low pressure system.

Auckland resident Marietta Nizoil said on Tuesday afternoon there was not much winds but there was rain in Auckland.

Another Auckland resident Damion Schmidt said the weather reports were favourable and he hoped that those affected by the flood in the north and around the Gisborne area.

The New Zealand Herald reports that storm-lashed Gisborne families had begun self-evacuating with Civil Defence warning ex-cyclone Hale bearing down on parts of the North Island and is “potentially one of the worst ones they have seen”.

Fifteen households near Gisborne’s Hikuwai River around Mangatuna have self-evacuated as the river threatens to reach 12.5 metres by high tide at 10pm on Tuesday night, which is more than it can hold.

Civil Defence controller Greg Shelton said this poses a major risk of thousands of hectares of farmland and property being damaged. He says the weather system is “potentially one of the worst ones they have seen”.

Earlier, residents in Gisborne were told to prepare to evacuate, with 250mm of rain expected to pummel the district during the one in 20-year event.

Coastline campers staying around Kaiaua on the Firth of Thames are also being urged to evacuate ahead of a 3.2m tide by 10.50pm tonight.

The Kaiaua Fire Brigade said while the region wasn’t expected to get the same severe level of winds and rain as the Coromandel, locals and holidaymakers still needed to be prepared as the storm might still “pack a punch to our area”.