[6] After being named, Fergus performed a cyclonic loop in an area of weak steering flow, before it started to move south-eastwards, under the influence of an approaching upper level trough of low pressure.

[1] The system subsequently continued to move south-eastwards towards a weakness in a subtropical ridge of high pressure, before it passed in between Vanuatu and New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands between December 27–28.

[1][8] At around this time the Fiji Meteorological Service estimated that the system had peaked as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained winds of 150 km/h (90 mph).

[9][15] Ahead of the system impacting New Zealand, MetService issued warnings for gale-force winds and heavy rain in various districts of the North Island.

[17] Ahead of Fergus impacting New Zealand, the ground was becoming saturated as a shallow trough of low pressure and moist northeast flow, had caused rain to set in from Northland to the Bay of Plenty.

[18] Play in the qualifying and first rounds of the 1997 ASB Classic tennis tournament to be significantly disrupted, due to torrential rain, poor light and strong wind caused by Fergus.