Snow, thunderstorms and heavy rain

Snow in Tekapo. - Photo: Bruce Hopkins

Snow, thunderstorms and heavy rain are hitting many parts of the country with warnings of severe gales later in the day.

Snow has been falling to 400 metres in the main passes of the South Island including heavy falls in the Kaikōura Ranges and Canterbury.

An active front from the west bringing severe thunderstorms is set to hit Taranaki this morning and move up the North Island throughout the day.

MetService severe weather forecaster Andy Downs says the front will bring thunderstorms up the country, through Waikato, to Auckland and Northland along with potentially damaging wind gusts and heavy rain.

Andy says there is even a remote chance the storms could produce a small tornado.

"It's something people need to be aware of as we go through the day.

"It's going to be a very active day - more so for the North Island."

A thunderstorm watch is in place for the Bay of Plenty today.

Along with the active front from the west, a low is moving northward up the country which is set to bring strong winds. It will hit Kaikōura and Malborough before tracking up through Wellington, Waikato and eventually Auckland.

Andy says winds from the low could be strong enough to bring down trees and affect powerlines.

Forecast for main centres

Auckland: High of 21°C and low of 9°C. Showers, heavy with squally thunderstorms during the morning. Strong westerlies, gale from evening.

Hamilton: High of 19°C and low of 5°C. Rain, heavy and thundery, turning to showers in the afternoon. Strong westerlies, gale for a time.

Wellington: High of 10°C and low of 6°C. Rain, heavy at times, turning to evening showers. Cold and gale force southerlies.

Christchurch: High of 9°C and low of 3°C. Rain turning to sleety showers in the afternoon. Strong southwesterlies.

Dunedin: High of 9°C and low of 5°C. Sleety showers with possible hail and strong southwesterlies.

Queenstown: High of 8°C and low of 1°C. Morning snow showers, then sleet.

Source: MetService

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1 comment

Forecasts

Posted on 10-04-2018 10:02 | By phoenix

Thank you NIWA for predicting warmer temperatures over this month. About as accurate as usual.


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