A tornado has been spotted near Hamilton today as warmer than average, unstable, weather moves in.

This photo just sent in to WeatherWatch.co.nz by Waikato dairy farmer Sam Owen shows a clear tornado moving around Hamilton’s rural outskirts a short time ago.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says more isolated tornados are possible this afternoon in the upper North Island due to instability in the atmosphere plus warmer than average weather. There’s also the risk of isolated thunderstorms.

Downpours are likely to come on very quickly and end just as fast. Surface and flash flooding are both possible in localised areas.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says that any tornados today will likely be low end ones and very short lived, but even they can prove to be deadly and damaging. If you see a tornado coming your way immediately get into a closet or small room, or in the bathtub, until it has passed. Tornados are damaging/deadly due to the ‘missiles’ of debris they pick up and send through the air.

@PhilipDuncan please explain just saw this on the outskirts of Hamilton . pic.twitter.com/aypW0ErLol

— Sam Owen (@samueltowen) October 28, 2018