Your web browser (Internet Explorer) is out of date. Some things will not look right and things might not work properly. Please download an up-to-date and free browser from here.

Storm finally peaking across NZ

> From the WeatherWatch archives

It’s been with us for a week now and finally the large winter storm in the Southern Ocean is peaking over New Zealand says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says another rough 48 hours is the on the way for many places but conditions will start to ease on Thursday.  “Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are probably the peak days of this storm with heavy snow in the south, gales in the east and north and hail, thunder and squalls in the west and north west.”.

Thunderstorms last evening peaked at 3200 strikes an hour and while conditions are quieter today more thunderstorms are predicted this afternoon and evening along western New Zealand as another surge of showers head north.

The West Coast of the South Island has had violent squalls and thunderstorms this morning. 

“In the middle of a thundersquall right now…” wrote Dale Small on WeatherWatch.co.nz’s Facebook page shortly before 10am today from Runanga on the West Coast “…and boy has this one got some teeth, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some localized damage to add to the last few days carnage already”.

Mr Small says there some damage the other day with a “fence blown to matchsticks down the road, neighbours windows blown in & aesthetic damage around the yard here”.

Up in the North Island and eastern parts of Coromandel were lashed by gales overnight.  “Was a wild night in Whitianga, strong winds, trees down…. sun out now and winds gone but its freezing cold” Shells Gibbs told WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Aucklanders had a taste of the thunderstorms as a dramatic squall line entered the Auckland region around rush hour last night followed by another round later in the evening. 

“The first rumble I near freaked, memories of chch so not nice, thought it was a quake inbound, forgot where I was. phew” Robyn Collins wrote on WeatherWatch.co.nz’s Facebook page.

Despite the dramatic start over West Auckland the thunder clouds quickly fell apart across the city. 

Many lightning lovers were disappointed with the storm as it continued to weaken before reaching their place.  “Still nothing on Waiheke…been a sunny day, but been windy, & have had no rain, no thunder, no lightening….all very quiet really….so much for the storm of the year :-)” wrote Anna Pashby.

Meanwhile WeatherWatch.co.nz has been running a poll asking readers if they have seen lightning or heard thunder where they are.  Despite many thunderstorms only affecting the western coastline lightning has been seen as far as the east coast. 

85% of people who have responded so far have say they have seen or heard a thunderstorm over the past few days at their place.

– Homepage image / File, Franz Krippner

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

Comments

Before you add a new comment, take note this story was published on 12 Jul 2011.

phil smith on 12/07/2011 4:26am

About an hour ago here in Levin a short violent thunderstorm struck now we have extremly wild wind with a tree down in the old hospital grounds

sw on 12/07/2011 2:03am

If it gets better much of the country thursday means it will get worse in Auckland (especially windwise) until the anticyclone arrives..Sun/Mon according to the models.

Guest on 12/07/2011 1:06am

It’s snowing in the Dunedin CBD; no sign of it settling properly yet though.

Related Articles