Thunderstorms are forecast to barrel across the North Island tonight, bringing damaging winds and even small tornadoes with them.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
MetService says a front of colder air coming from across the Tasman will create localised thunderstorms from this morning right across the upper half of the North Island.
But this morning's weather is merely a curtain-raiser to what is forecast for tonight.
"There's some quite unpleasant weather coming through," MetService forceaster Tom Adams said.
"The real thunder action kicks off tonight. What makes them severe is their size and strength - the consequences of that are the damaging wind gusts of over 110 kilometres an hour."
There was a high risk of thunderstorms, and a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms, everywhere north of Hamilton and east of Tauranga, Mr Adams said.
Watch issued for severe thunderstorms this evening. Other areas will also get thunderstorms, but less severe.See https://t.co/GZIq9Jlbrw ^TA pic.twitter.com/AxQs02ncLC
— MetService (@MetService) October 5, 2016
MetService's thunderstorm outlook warned of "squally thunderstorms" and "possibly one or two small tornadoes".
"We're trying to put a lot of emphasis on this wind," Mr Adams said.
"There's been a lot of rain up in the north so the ground is quite saturated, so it makes it easier for trees and power poles to be blown down."
Rain was likely to fall in short, heavy bursts of 10 to 20mm an hour in localised spots, and there could also be some small hail, he said.
People should secure any loose items such as trampolines, and keep an ear out for civil defence warnings.
The rain could also cause localised flooding.
Crazy skies this morning over the hood that is St Mary's Bay @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/VQrOt37MIy
— Charlotte West (@charlotte_soph7) October 5, 2016
The thunderstorm warning was in place until Friday afternoon, Mr Adams said.
Auckland Council head of emergency operations Aaron Davis said people should secure outdoor items, and avoid low-lying areas that could flood rapidly.
While the upper North Island was forecast to bear the brunt of the bad weather, there was also a moderate risk of thunderstorms in inland Canterbury, eastern Otago and parts of Southland.
