A cluster of thunderstorms and heavy rain have lashed Auckland overnight, after moving over the city from the Tasman Sea.
NIWA Weather reported active thunderstorms starting to move across the city shortly before 9 o’clock last night.
“Expect a brief period of very heavy, gusty wind along with the lightning,” the forecaster said on Twitter.
Members of the public from various suburbs took to social media
Videos posted to social media showed the Sky Tower being struck by lightning.
A hailstorm was also hitting the suburbs of Point Chevalier and Mount Albert.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms were also reported in Mount Eden, Onehunga, Titirangi, Massey and Ponsonby.
The size of the hailstones was described by one Mount Albert resident as being “as big as M&Ms”.
“The most intense thunderstorm I’ve ever experienced is rolling over Ponsonby right now,” one Ponsonby resident said.
Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni had a frightening experience as the plane she was travelling on attempted to land at Auckland Airport during the weather event.
“The plane was getting knocked around. Ended up circling for about 45 minutes and then landing safely,” she shared on social media.
Officials have been on high alert as heavy wind gusts of up to 100km/h threaten the Auckland Harbour Bridge area.
Waka Kotahi has placed an amber alert warning on the bridge with forecast westerly winds of 75-85km/h.
“There is the potential for winds to briefly rise to 90-100km/h (signalling a red alert) during squally thunderstorms and heavy showers,” Waka Kotahi said in a statement.
“It is important to note that these brief gusts are dependent on heavy showers/thunderstorms moving over the bridge itself.”
The warning is in place from 6pm tonight until 7am tomorrow.
As the day progresses tomorrow, there is a low risk of the forecast gusts reaching a warning level.
Speeds on the bridge have been lowered and certain bridge lanes are closed during an amber alert, while all lanes are closed during a red alert.
“Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions, look out for the electronic message boards which will indicate lane closures and reduced speeds, or full bridge closure, and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge,” Waka Kotahi urged.
Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are advised to avoid the harbour bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.
Further south, a heavy snow watch has been issued for Canterbury High Country, Central Otago, Clutha, Dunedin, North Otago, Southern Lakes, and Southland.
Snow has started to settle in Southland this afternoon as the first taste of winter begins to bite.
About 10cm of snow has settled on State Highway 94 at Gorge Hill, between Mossburn and Te Anau.
Waka Kotahi said some drivers had already become stuck and required assistance.
SH94 remains passable but the transport agency said those with little experience driving in snow should avoid travel.
Earlier, MetService updated its forecast to show Dunedin may get a dusting of snow in the hill suburbs tonight, and a heavy snow watch has been issued for inland Otago and Southland over the next two days.
- Additional reporting ODT
The Newmarket Business Association says there is no further threat to the area.