Unstable weather has lead to thunderstorms, downpours and also a large waterspout in Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

The waterspout (which is a tornado over water) was seen near North Shore by a number of Aucklanders shortly after 4pm and captured on camera from Castor Bay and Takapuna (see below).

Most thunderstorms are now east of the city out to sea, but some isolated heavy downpours remain as a large area of low pressure from the Tasman Sea falls apart over New Zealand. Afternoon heating plus atmospheric instability help create isolated waterspouts lke this.

Further isolated waterspouts and tornados are possible across parts of the North Island this afternoon and evening, with the risk diminishing overnight.

@WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/4drgpHjLBn

— Lindy (@Lindy83901493) November 20, 2022

pic.twitter.com/8Vt0u4ZDlf

— Lindy (@Lindy83901493) November 20, 2022

Them there’s some dark clouds on the horizon! @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/7jPvSTCiLo

— Lauren (@LaurenMichela1) November 20, 2022

VIDEO: #Waterspout seen from #CasterBay, #Auckland.

– https://t.co/gb7E1qcpZ3 pic.twitter.com/FH1LeJe2Tl

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 20, 2022

Seen from Takapuna this afternoon @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/vKxRKSFSj0

— Shannon (@Shanuys) November 20, 2022

Full on tornado in the Hauraki gulf 15 minutes ago, moving out to sea 🌪 (photo by me) pic.twitter.com/dvsaPe5EHc

— Zara Lingard Alan Pooley (@ZPooley123) November 20, 2022

🚨⚡️5:55pm Update: #Thunderstorms mostly around #Auckland, #Southland, #Otago and #Canterbury. pic.twitter.com/otnfuJCeFX

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) November 20, 2022

• WeatherWatch.co.nz