Extreme weather for New Zealand

Severe thunderstorms expected across North Island

Newshub,

2 January, 2018

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued across most of the North Island for Tuesday afternoon.

The combination of a warm humid day and light winds is set to produce scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

MetService says showers in Auckland are expected to "supercharge" into thunderstorms around midday, with surface flooding and heavy rain impacting driving conditions.

Convective showers are already bubbling up over Auckland - expect a few of these to 'supercharge' into thunderstorm cells around midday. You can keep an eye on their progression by looking out the window and on the rain radar http://bit.ly/AucklandRadar 

^AC

1:35 PM - 1 Jan 2018

In the central North Island, rainfall is likely to reach 20 to 50mm per hour.

By Tuesday evening, the storms are expected to move towards the northern South Island.

MetService‏Verified account @MetService

MetService Retweeted Severe Weather Info

Showers with possible thunderstorms and downpours for the shaded areas from midday. Keep updated with the rain radars.If any severe warnings are issued today you will find them here http://bit.ly/STWarning 

^AC

MetService added,

Severe Weather Info @MetServiceWARN

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued http://zpr.io/np5yN 

12:04 PM - 1 Jan 2018

MetService says to "keep an eye on [thunderstorm] progression by looking out the window".