> From the WeatherWatch archives
“HIGH RISK” OF FLASH FLOODING
The tropical air sucked down by this week’s storm is this afternoon exploding in to life. High temperatures combined with high humidity are creating thunderstorms from Waikato to Manawatu. “This is afternoon heating like we would normally see in the middle of summer” say Radio Network head weather analyst Philip Duncan. “These storms are slow moving and can quickly cause surface or flash flooding. Residents should take extreme care”.
Duncan says 104 lightning strikes have been counted in the past 60 minutes, compared to just two earlier this morning. “The number of strikes recorded is increasing rapidly and has almost doubled in the past 20 minutes…it’s as if the air has suddenly exploded into life. There will be a lot of very heavy showers across the North Island this afternoon and evening. Flooding is definitely a potential”.
The thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected to be the final puff of energy from the sub-tropical storm that claimed eight lives and ended the Waikato drought.
MetService warned of today’s thunderstorm potential yesterday afternoon.
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