Fresh from winter’s storms Americans are now bracing themselves for violent spring storms producing iconic tornadoes that are famous world-wide.

Yesterday saw a tornado sweep through downtown Miami as evening rush hour traffic was peaking.  Violent and deadly twisters have also recently swept through North Carolina.

The tornado season usually peaks around May.

Meanwhile rain storms have caused major flooding in Connecticut.

Back in New Zealand and MetService is warning that heavy rain is likely this holiday weekend across the Southern Alps.

In their severe weather outlook they say there’s a high risk of heavy rain about Fiordland and Westland this Saturday with a lower chance further north up the West Coast.  Rain warnings may be issued later this week.