Tropical Cyclone Wati has strengthened into a Category 2 system and is expected to intensify further into a severe Category 3 cyclone on Sunday as it tracks southeast through the Cook Islands.

Weather authorities have issued widespread alerts across the nation with the storm packing winds of 100km/h near its centre and gusts reaching up to 140km/h.

Located about 160km south of Suwarrow, the system is moving southeast at 12km/h and is projected to pass 200km north-northwest of Aitutaki by Sunday.

While the eye of the storm is expected to remain over open waters, forecasters warn that heavy rain, squally thunderstorms, and dangerous swells will impact surrounding island groups.

Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) and local island governments have activated full disaster response protocols, publishing interactive emergency shelter maps online to help families locate their nearest safe zone.

In Aitutaki, preparations are in full swing as memories of past devastation drive island-wide readiness.

get me four captions including one for Mayor Henry for the hero pic, one for boats on land, one for shutters on businesses, and one for the map tracking the cyclone.

Aitutaki Mayor Nicholas Henry says emergency headquarters have been set up at the Power Station conference room to operate 24 hours a day until the threat passes.

"The Aitutaki Police, Island Government, Red Cross, Vodafone and government agencies have implemented the following steps," Henry told the Cook Islands News.

"Our HQ has been established at the Power Station conference room, and this will be manned 24/7 from Saturday evening until the Cyclone alert passes. Alerts have been shared with the general public over the past 24 hours and the preparations have been very positive.

Boat owners and local crews haul vessels clear of Arutanga harbour onto high ground as sea conditions deteriorate across the Cook Islands. Photo/Cook Islands News

"With help from INTAFF and the Island Councillors, we have identified and visited the homes of our vulnerable and elderly to provide support - in several cases we have delivered extra drinking water and, where necessary, tie down roofs."

Henry said residents have been buying rope and shutter materials from local supplier Spiderco over recent days.

"The general public have been buying rope for tie-downs and plywood for shutters from Spiderco for the past two days," he said. "The memory of the devastation from Cyclone Pat in 2010 is still strong with many residents, so we want to be overprepared rather than underprepared.

"We have teams on standby to manage power outages, and or risks, the Police will be monitoring the situation and providing advice to our community via Radio TV and social media.

"We are encouraging hotels and tour operators to cancel tours and shows planned for Saturday, keep their guests well informed and to stay safe. Once the cyclonic weather starts, we want everyone to remain indoors.

"As mayor of Aitutaki, I am asking all of our families near and far to send their prayers to keep us all safe. We have been praying for rain, and it looks like we are going to get it this weekend."

Local business owners fasten plywood shutters and secure roofing in Aitutaki as residents prepare for damaging winds expected to gust up to 140km/h. Photo/Cook Islands News

Meanwhile, National Environment Services (NES) rangers stationed on Suwarrow, Johnnie Tangaroa and Teokotai Terei, are reported safe and well-supplied after securing their shelters.

NES Pa Enua Coordinator Moana Tetauru confirmed ongoing communication with the pair on the isolated northern atoll.

"The rangers have continued to maintain regular contact with NES since the special weather bulletins were released yesterday [Friday], and ongoing communication between the rangers and NES will continue," Tetauru told the newspaper.

"Both Rangers are currently safe and in good spirits. The rangers secured their shelter and essential resources (Thursday) in preparation for the approaching severe weather system, and will continue to closely monitor weather conditions, remain vigilant, and take the necessary precautions to protect their safety throughout the event.

"The rangers have confirmed that they have sufficient food and fuel supplies, and all equipment is functioning properly.

"As for the weather, the rangers reported strong winds and rough seas Thursday night, which subsided in the early hours this morning [Saturday]. The latest report: heavy rain occasional at times, strong winds and rough seas. They’ve noticed some erosion around Anchorage Island (home-base) and will be able to inspect once the weather subsides."

Australian meteorologists said Wati formed outside the official Pacific cyclone season, which normally runs from 1 November to 30 April, and was driven by unusually warm waters in the region.

"El Niño's unusually strong grasp on the Central Pacific is one reason behind this system's development, with this region typically not piping up cyclone activity until the end of the calendar year most of the time," the Australian MetService reports.

"This makes Wati not only earlier than average but also likely the first of many more storms to form in the South Pacific this cyclone season."

All residents, fishermen, and vessel operators across the Cook Islands are advised to avoid going to sea, secure outdoor property and follow official updates from the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.

Super typhoon threat

Meanwhile, authorities in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have issued their highest weather alerts as Category 4 Typhoon Champi approaches, bringing 225km/h winds, heavy rains, and storm surges.

Residents are under strict indoor lockdown orders with over 730 people taking refuge in emergency shelters as the island braces for potential life-threatening flooding and widespread power outages overnight.