WeatherWatch.co.nz is receiving reports of thunder right across the North Island tonight.

Late on Sunday night thunderstorms were reported in Northland, Taranaki, Manawatu and Wellington.

WeatherWatch.co.nz is the only forecaster that is predicting thunderstorms across all western parts of the North Island overnight.

Another larger active band of rain is expected to make landfall on the North Island’s west coast, north of Taranaki, in the next few hours.  With air temperatures already near 20 degrees it is expected thunderstorms will be triggered.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says thunderstorms have been reported all over the North Island, west of central regions.

“Thunderstorms are likely across northern and western areas, especially near the coastlines.  Conditions are incredibly warm for this time of year showing just how large this low pressure system is”,

Mr Duncan was referring to the fact that northern New Zealand is enjoying temperatures that are more refelective of a mid Summer evening while the lower South Island has snow.

“The top of the low is pulling sub tropical air down over the upper North Island.  As of midnight it’s about 19 degrees in a number of northern centres.  Meanwhile the bottom of the low is dragging in cold air from south of New Zealand.  It’s currently 2 degrees in Queenstown with snow showers in the vicinity”.

MetService is also concerned, issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch this evening.  A watch is the step before a warning is possibly issued.

MetService: Scattered thunderstorms are expected to spread onto the northern half of the North Island overnight and clear during Monday morning. Some of these thunderstorms could be severe before dawn in coastal parts of northern Taranaki, Waitomo and Waikato, as well as parts of Northland, Great Barrier Island, northern Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and the ranges of Gisborne, with potentially
damaging wind gusts (greater than 110km/hr). Localised downpours of 25 to 40mm/hr are also likely to accompany any of these thunderstorms, especially about the ranges, and there is a slight risk of one or two small tornadoes.

These wind gusts could cause structural damage, including to trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous, 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. If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas.   Issued by: Andy Downs