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NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Weather: Thousands of lightning strikes awaken Aucklanders during intense overnight storm
Aucklanders will this morning be inspecting their properties for damage after intense thunder and heavy rain overnight. The city had been under a thunderstorm watch overnight between 10.30pm and 1.30am and residents have woken to more thunderstorms. More than 5000 lightning strikes were recorded over the upper North Island and associated offshore areas from Sunday night. A lot of those strikes were in and around the Auckland region. Niwa said the lightning strikes were recorded between midnight until 7am. MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said the thunderstorms would continue across West Auckland for some time this morning. 'We are seeing a region of instability over that area. 'There are definitely some sparks happening. These cells will probably move on through and on the afternoon to a few showers.' MetService said the city can expect rain with squally thunderstorms, easing to showers this morning. Showers are expected to become few and far between by the afternoon. Westerlies, gusting at 100km/h at first, are expected to ease towards the afternoon. 5000+ lightning strikes ⚡️ were observed over the upper North Island & adjacent waters from 12 am to 7 am Monday. Why the thunderstorms? One key reason is a strong temperature gradient (change in temp over distance). Near 0°C over the central NI, 16-17° in the Far North. — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) June 8, 2025 MetService also reported a moderate risk of thunderstorms in Northland, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel Peninsula, and northern and western parts of the Waikato. It said the thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by heavy rain, hail, and wind gusts of up to 100km/h. Additionally, for western Waitomo and northern Taranaki, there is a low risk of thunderstorms throughout the period. In a post online, Niwa suggested that the upper North Island may be in for more thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon into the evening. Parts of the North Island will also see showers today, particularly in the Bay of Plenty, with clouds spreading north this afternoon. For the upper North Island, showers are set to clear this afternoon. As well, bitterly cold winter conditions greeted householders this morning. Pawley said the coldest place in the country was Mt Hutt, which reached -8C overnight and -6C this morning. 'Manapōuri Airport also reached -5C,' he said. Blenheim was sitting at -1C. Advertise with NZME. In the North Island, Pahīatua was the coldest, at -3.6C. Temperatures in Central Otago have continued to drop. Road snowfall warnings remain in place for Crown Range Road, and Porters Pass and Lewis Pass. MetService head of weather news Heather Keats said the country is in for another unsettled week with a 'few messy features set to influence our weather'. She said a strong, cold southerly will continue to affect most of the country today, with another chilly start in the South Island. 'It's fine and frosty for the west and north of the South Island with a few more showers left for the east.' Keats said southerlies will also pick up this morning for Wellington and Kāpiti. MetService said last night that another freezing night was in store for New Zealand as an icy-cold front swept across the country. MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo said temperatures will be lowest in Wānaka and Queenstown, with both towns expecting -1C. Blenheim and Milford face 0C, while Christchurch will sit at 3C. In the North Island, the lowest temperatures were forecast for Taupō at 0C. The news comes after parts of New Zealand awoke yesterday to the coldest day so far this year. Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch all had their coldest mornings at 4.5C, 2.9C and -2.8C. The alpine village of Aoraki/Mt Cook recorded a temperature of -10C and locals say the area got as low as -13C overnight.
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
MetService issues gale warnings for much of the South
Forget about wearing a hat today — you are likely to lose it. The severe overnight gales are expected to peak this morning, reaching speeds of up to 130kmh in exposed areas around the Otago and Southland coastlines. MetService has upgraded its earlier strong wind watch to an Orange warning for southern Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island, Clutha and Dunedin, and there is a possibility it may be upgraded further to a Red warning. "The strongest winds are expected overnight Friday and Saturday morning and spreading over inland areas," a MetService spokesman said. "Squally thunderstorms are also possible near the coast." Moderate to moderately high storm tides were also expected until this evening, on the Otago coast. He said the wind could cause damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, and driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles. The wind warning would remain in place until at least 3pm today. MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said the gales were being caused by a strong west-to-southwest flow which was affecting the entire country. But for the lower South Island, the winds were also dragging cooler temperatures, showers, and snow falling as low as 600m. "This will be welcome news for avid skiers and snowboarders, but is likely to affect alpine roads in the South Island." NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesman Jarrod Booker said those planning on going to another destination this morning for a King's Birthday Weekend holiday should take extra care when driving. As well as the severe gales, snow was affecting some of the higher roads inland. "Road snowfall warnings have been issued for Lindis Pass, Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd, with 10cm-15cm potentially settling on Milford Rd above 800m. "Motorists are urged to adjust their speeds and following distances to the conditions, and to plan ahead and be prepared for any delays." Yesterday, Naseby got an early taste of the wintry conditions when snow settled on the streets of the Central Otago town and covered roads on the outskirts. The snow closed the Danseys Pass Rd to all but four-wheel drive vehicles, from the gates past the Danseys Pass Hotel. That followed rain and sub-zero temperatures around the Maniototo and Ida Valley areas. Fulton Hogan said drivers should continue to be wary of road conditions in the area, slow down and be cautious on bridge decks and shaded areas, where ice may have formed. The weather is forecast to be calmer and clearer tomorrow, but still cool.
NZ Herald
24-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
‘Break out those woollen jumpers': Single-digit temperatures forecast for Whanganui dawn service
With single-digit temperatures forecast for Anzac Day morning in Whanganui, dawn service attendees are advised to dress warmly. Photo / NZME A cold Anzac Day dawn service and warmer than usual days are forecast for Whanganui this long weekend. A weather system moving up the lower North Island was expected to bring a reprieve from Wednesday's showers, MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said. 'There's going to be some colder, drier air. 'In general, we're seeing some colder temperatures come across the country and clearer skies which should be good for those dawn services coming up on Friday.' The forecast low of 7C on Friday was expected to coincide with the dawn service, with Pawley recommending attendees 'break out those woollen jumpers'.
1News
22-04-2025
- Climate
- 1News
Anzac morning to be 'dry but cold', MetService says
The weather is set to take a turn for the better after heavy winds and rain put a damper on the Easter weekend for much of Aotearoa. More settled conditions have been forecast by MetService this week as a high pressure builds across the country. However, temperatures are also set to drop as winds swing from the warm north to the cool south. By Anzac Day, MetService is forecasting generally 'dry but cold' conditions across the country, and meteorologist Michael Pawley added it is 'time to bring the woollen jumper again'. 'It will be a cold start to the day on Anzac Day, especially compared to the recent warm nights. However, for many of us it will be a dry start to the long weekend.' On Friday, Auckland is set to have a high of 20C, and a low of 13C. Wellington is set to have a high of 16C and a low of 8C. In Christchurch, Friday is forecast to have a high of 16C and a low of 5C – with the Warriors to play the Knights at 8pm. Over Easter weekend, severe weather hit many parts of the country following the arrival of Ex-Cyclone tam on New Zealand shores last week. Pawly said the slow-moving nature of the ex-cyclone meant that the impacts from this system 'remained with us throughout the Easter Weekend'. 'From Severe Thunderstorms to record breaking temperatures this has been a challenging weekend of weather for many parts of New Zealand.' MetService said April maximum temperature records were broken in Whanganui and Palmerston North, and Levin reached a sweltering 28.7C, smashing the record of 25.7C set in April of 1999.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Cool But Calmer Weather On The Way
Forecast – MetService Covering period of Tuesday 22nd – Thursday 24th April The Easter weekend was marked by severe weather across many parts of Aotearoa New Tam, the remains of a tropical weather system, arrived on our shores last Thursday bringing strong winds and heavy rain across the top of the country, resulting in power outages through Northland. Even the sheltered urban centre Whangarei was buffeted with gusts up to 96 km/h and exposed places recorded gusts well in excess of 100 km/h. Tam remained close throughout the long weekend, keeping a feed of warm but unsettled conditions across the country. Intense thunderstorms moved across Auckland overnight Friday and during Saturday bringing large volumes of rainfall. Over 1000 lightning strikes were recorded in the upper North Island and Mt Roskill recorded 81mm of rain within an hour. The top of the South Island also experienced the impacts from Cyclone Tam with flooding in parts of Buller on Sunday. MetService Meteorologist Michael Pawley details 'The slow-moving nature of Cyclone Tam meant that the impacts from this system remained with us throughout the Easter Weekend. From Severe Thunderstorms to record breaking temperatures this has been a challenging weekend of weather for many parts of New Zealand.' April maximum temperature records were broken in Whanganui and Palmerston North. Levin reached a sweltering 28.7°C, smashing the record of 25.7°C set in April of 1999. This week, thankfully, sees a change in the weather with Cyclone Tam giving way to a period of more settled weather as high pressure builds across the country. As the winds swing from the warm north to the cool south, temperatures across the country will be dropping. For those attending dawn services for ANZAC day on Friday, the forecast is generally one of dry but cold weather. Michael continues 'Time to bring out the woollen jumper again! It will be a cold start to the day on ANZAC day, especially compared to the recent warm nights. However, for many of us it will be a dry start to the long weekend.' Content Sourced from Original url
