Severe thunderstorm watches were this morning issued for a number of regions across both islands and in the past hour 1569 lightning strikes have been picked up by the Lightning Tracker.

Thunderstorm Watches, which indicate severe thunderstorms are likely to develop in the coming hours, cover several regions including those affected by thunderstorms yesterday.

The regions affected by today’s watches are: Bay Of Plenty, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Rotorua, Taupo, Taranaki, Taihape, Wanganui, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Buller, Canterbury High Country…

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan says while this sort of weather is normal for summer the large scale isn’t.  “We’re getting a taste of what the mid-west in America gets throughout their spring and summer.  We don’t often see such large scale storms across such widespread portions of the country.  For weather watchers this is quite extraordinary however there are definite safety concerns”.

Mr Duncan says the biggest risk with weather like this is flash flooding.  “Small streams and creeks can flood within minutes and driving can be very difficult too with surface flooding and poor visibility.  There’s also the risk of lightning strikes”.

Watch 1:
Issued by MetService at 10:53 am Tuesday 26 Jan 2010
Valid until 9:00 pm Tuesday 26 Jan 2010

This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:
Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Rotorua, Taupo, Taranaki, Taihape, Wanganui.

Conditions are favourable for widespread thunderstorm activity over many parts of the North Island again today.  Some of these thunderstorms are expected to become SEVERE over central areas this afternoon and then dissipate through this evening. From Waikato to inland Taranaki to Taihape and over inland areas of Hawkes Bay, Western Gisborne and Bay of Plenty, rainfall rates could be locally torrential with hourly rates of about 40mm/hr or more.

This watch will be updated by: 02:00 pm Tuesday 26 January 2010

This watch will be updated or lifted by:10:00 pm 26 Jan 2010 NZDT
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Watch 2:
Issued by MetService at 10:53 am Tuesday 26 Jan 2010
Valid until 9:00 pm Tuesday 26 Jan 2010

This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:
Buller, Canterbury High Country.

Conditions are favourable for thunderstorm activity over inland parts of the upper South Island today. Some of these thunderstorms may become SEVERE over inland areas of Marlborough, Nelson, Buller and North Canterbury this afternoon and then dissipate this evening. Rainfall rates could be very heavy with intensities of 25-40mm/hr possible.

This watch will be updated by: 02:30 pm Tuesday 26 January 2010

This watch will be updated or lifted by:10:00 pm 26 Jan 2010 NZDT
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Watch 3:
Issued by MetService at 10:53 am Tuesday 26 Jan 2010
Valid until 9:00 pm Tuesday 26 Jan 2010

This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:
Gisborne, Hawkes Bay.

Conditions are favourable for widespread thunderstorm activity over many parts of the North Island again today. Some of these thunderstorms are expected to become SEVERE over central areas
this afternoon and then dissipate through this evening. From Waikato to inland Taranaki to Taihape and over inland areas of Hawkes Bay, Western Gisborne and Bay of Plenty, rainfall rates could be locally torrential with hourly rates of about 40mm/hr or more.

This watch will be updated by: 02:00 pm Tuesday 26 January 2010

This watch will be updated or lifted by:10:00 pm 26 Jan 2010 NZDT
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Watch 4:
Issued by MetService at 10:53 am Tuesday 26 Jan 2010
Valid until 9:00 pm Tuesday 26 Jan 2010

This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:
Marlborough, Nelson,.

Conditions are favourable for thunderstorm activity over inland parts of the upper South Island today.
Some of these thunderstorms may become SEVERE over inland areas of Marlborough, Nelson, Buller and North Canterbury this afternoon and then dissipate this evening. Rainfall rates could be very heavy with intensities of 25-40mm/hr possible.

This watch will be updated by: 02:30 pm Tuesday 26 January 2010

This watch will be updated or lifted by:10:00 pm 26 Jan 2010 NZDT
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Watch 5:
Issued by MetService at 10:53 am Tuesday 26 Jan 2010
Valid until 9:00 pm Tuesday 26 Jan 2010

This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:
Bay Of Plenty.

Conditions are favourable for widespread thunderstorm activity over many parts of the North Island again today. Some of these thunderstorms are expected to become SEVERE over central areas
this afternoon and then dissipate through this evening. From Waikato to inland Taranaki to Taihape and over inland areas of Hawkes Bay, Western Gisborne and Bay of Plenty, rainfall rates could be locally torrential with hourly rates of about 40mm/hr or more.

This watch will be updated by: 02:00 pm Tuesday 26 January 2010

This watch will be updated or lifted by:10:00 pm 26 Jan 2010 NZDT
 

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METSERVICE SAFETY MESSAGE
Rainfall of this intensity can cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain. If you hear thunder and see heavy rainfall approaching, or if you feel threatened, take shelter immediately.

Watches issued by: Paul Mallinson, MetService