'Scary' hail storm hits Cambridge, severe thunderstorm warning for upper North Island

RNZ News

4 days ago

Thunderstorms and hail are battering the North Island, with forecasters warning there may even be a chance of tornadoes for some.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Kaipara, Far North, Whangārei and Rodney Thursday afternoon.
MetService said the thunderstorms were expected to be accompanied by damaging wind gusts and possible tornadoes.
Waipā District Council said a sudden hailstorm may have caused surface flooding in some areas.
St Peter's Catholic School in Cambridge posted a video of the aftermath of the hailstorm to their social media account.
Hail at St Peter's Catholic School in Cambridge, Waikato this afternoon.
Photo:
Screengrab
A Cambridge resident also posted "scary hail storm ... never seen anything like it" on social media.
Meanwhile, a low is moving eastward across the North Island on Thursday, bringing possible severe gales to Northland, MetService said.
There is a risk of thunderstorms for the northwest of the North Island from Taranaki, northern Taumarunui and Taupo, and Bay of Plenty.
"These thunderstorms may be accompanied by heavy rain 10 to 25 mm/h, hail of 5 to 15 mm in diameter and strong wind gusts of 80 to 110 km/h, especially from afternoon," MetService said.
It said there is also a low risk of a small tornado, which could occur with or without a thunderstorm.
In Auckland, Northland, northern Waikato and Coromandel Peninsula, there is a low risk that a thunderstorms could be severe late Thursday afternoon and evening, producing damaging wind gusts greater than 110 km/h.
Thunderstorms could also be possible in central North Island and upper South Island.
❗Warning Update
A Red Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued!!
At 03:37 pm, MetService weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms lying from OFFSHORE WEST OF NINETY MILE BEACH to OFFSHORE KAIPARA WEST COAST. This line of severe thunderstorms is moving…
Strong wind watches have been issued across the country.
Northland and Auckland north of Manukau Harbour, Penrose, also including Waiheke Island are under a strong wind watch between 4pm and 10pm. There's a moderate chance of this being upgraded to a warning.
Parts of Hawke's Bay and Southland have been issued strong wind watches for Friday and Saturday, both of which have a high chance of upgrading to a wind warning.
"Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures [are] possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles," MetService said.
The forecasting agency advices residents in these areas to secure items that can be picked up by strong winds and drive cautiously.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Kaipara, Far North, Whangārei and Rodney.
Photo:
MetService
Metservice has issued a road snowfall warning for three roads in Southland and Central Otago.
Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Road and Milford Road (SH94) are expected to have snow accumulate on the roads on Friday.
Meanwhile, slips are disrupting motorists in Bay of Plenty.
State Highway 25 north of Thames is closed due to a slip early on Thursday.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said the highway would remain closed while it awaits a technical evaluation and there was no detour available. It said motorists should avoid the area.
Lanes on State Highway 2 near Ōpōtiki are also blocked due to multiple slips on Waioweka Gorge. Motorists can still travel on this route, however, they are advised to take care.
NZTA's System Manager for Waikato Andy Oakley said it knows the state highway needs increased resilience and it is a focus for the agency.
Fortunately, the wild weather is likely to clear up just in time for the weekend.
During Friday and Saturday a strong west to southwest flow affects the country, MetService said.
"We will still have the hangover from the current low pressure system that's moving across the country. So, strong southwesterlies persist through to Saturday," MetService's Heather Keats said.
A ridge of high pressure over the North Island until Monday will calm the weather, with clear skies for most of the weekend, she said.
However, there will be some showers in the south and west of the South Island.
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