Thunderstorm

The heavy rainfall is expected to cause surface or flash flooding. There is also a risk of slips.

The thunderstorms could be severe between about 3pm and 9pm today with rain and the risk of a small localised tornado. Photo: File. MetService has issued ...

People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and monitor for possible Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay on Christmas Day.

MetService said thunderstorms were detected near Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Gladstone and Longbush and were moving southwest.

"Hail can cause damage to crops, orchards and vines and may make driving conditions hazardous." "Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous," MetService said. The thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain and hail.

The thunderstorms - about now - are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain and hail. Heavy rain can cause flash flooding about streams, ...

Photo: TBEN A forecaster from MetService says the country has experienced thousands of lightning strikes in the past few hours. Severe Thunderstorm.

MetService warns that driving conditions will be dangerous, with the risk of flooding, poor visibility and heavy rain. Farmer said 2,200 attacks have been recorded, mainly in the eastern mountain ranges of the North Island, inland from Hawke’s Bay. A forecaster from MetService says the country has experienced thousands of lightning strikes in the past few hours.

Metservice said scattered thunderstorms are expected to bring heavy rain and hail.

Holidaymakers in the central and northern parts of the North Island are advised to keep an eye on the skies with localised heavy downpours forecast.

Safeswim letting you know the water is ok to swim in. Water quality improvements in stormwater and sewerage to make it better over time…— Julie Fairey (@juliefairey) * At Takapuna Beach thinking about all the things Council is responsible for in this view.

Isolated thunderstorms are expected to rain down on the top half of the North Island this afternoon. MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for.

Tornadoes, flash flooding possible as thunderstorms expected to lash top half of North Island Isolated thunderstorms are expected to rain down on the top half of the North Island this afternoon.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, western Taupō, Rotorua and near the Kaimai Range could be hit by severe thunderstorms between 2pm and 9pm, ...

Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, western Taupō, Rotorua and near the Kaimai Range could be hit by severe thunderstorms between 2pm and 9pm, bringing 25-45mm/h of rain. "Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips," MetService said. "Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous," MetService said.

Motorists are being advised to expect delays. MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Auckland, Kaipara, the Far North and Whangārei.

“These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and large hail.” “These thunderstorms will bring localised heavy rain and hail. “These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.”

Thunderstorms are forecast for much of the upper North Island this afternoon. A storm is currently moving across the Hauraki Gulf, with MetService issuing severe thunderstorm warnings for Auckland City, Waitakere, Franklin, Rodney, Kaipara, ...

Be prepared to take cover if you're out and about enjoying the parts of Auckland where the sun is still shining Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Auckland Radar Area— MetService Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Northland Radar Area— MetService Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN)

The meeting of warm and cold winds start the series of events required to form the vortexes, MetService meteorologists say.

[A severe thunderstorm watch has been placed over the northern part of the North Island](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/130862553/hordes-flock-to-beaches-and-parks-as-boxing-day-thunderstorms-forecast), including Waikato, and a mix of warm and cold weather patterns means the region could be a hotspot for funnel cloud action. * [scattered thunderstorms unleashed a deluge on Hamilton on a Tuesday afternoon](https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/300770487/summer-thunderstorm-lashes-hamilton). [Funnel cloud spotted over Hastings bringing thunder, lightning and a downpour](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/300394293/funnel-cloud-spotted-over-hastings-bringing-thunder-lightning-and-a-downpour?rm=a) ['Funnel cloud' makes tornado-like appearance over Waikato](https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/300711932/funnel-cloud-makes-tornadolike-appearance-over-waikato?rm=a) [Summer thunderstorm lashes Hamilton](https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/300770487/summer-thunderstorm-lashes-hamilton?rm=a)

MetService said thunderstorms had been detected in Auckland and Northland and it could make driving extremely hazardous.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, western Taupō, Rotorua and near the Kaimai Range could be hit by severe thunderstorms between 2pm and 9pm, bringing 25-45mm/h of rain. There is also a low risk of a small and very localised tornado in this area. It comes after MetService had earlier issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of the central and upper North Island this afternoon and evening.

A deluge of heavy rain has flooded part of an Auckland motorway as thunderstorms begin to roll in over the North Island. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency sa.

“These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and large hail.” Sunshine and thunder: Auckland motorway floods, thunderstorm warnings issued “These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.”