> From the WeatherWatch archives
The skies over northern New Zealand were mostly quiet last night despite a thunderstorm watch by MetService that included the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
So, what is the different between a thunderstorm WATCH and a thunderstorm WARNING?
MetService has just introduced a new Severe Thunderstorm Warning Service.
It’s to help better track thunderstorms and give New Zealanders appropriate alerts to thunderstorms and potential tornadoes.
So while WeatherWatch.co.nz only believed there was a ‘slight risk’ for thunderstorms in Auckland in our forecast, we still needed to mention the severe weather watch from MetService – alerting the public that basically we have all the right ingredients for something a bit rougher…and judging by the lightning tracker yesterday evening I’m not surprised a watch was issued. There were well over 2000 strikes out to sea by yesterday afternoon.
Incidently, WeatherWatch believes there’s a higher risk for thunderstorms in Auckland from Saturday PM to Sunday AM.
You’ll find all the details on this new thunderstorm warning service here.
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Before you add a new comment, take note this story was published on 2 Jul 2009.
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Matt on 2/07/2009 10:27pm
Do you expect any of the thunderstorms you believe will have a higher chance in Auckland in the Saturday PM to Sunday AM to be severe?
Cheers
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WW Forecast Team on 2/07/2009 11:36pm
Hi Matt,
We’re unsure at this early stage if they’ll be severe – but I’ll point out that our weather data was picking thunderstorms for Saturday back on Monday. So the data is certainly pointing to unstable air.
Will have a better idea tomorrow when the system is closer.
Cheers
WW
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