Stormy weather hits the North Island

Name: WeatherWatch: Your Wintry Weekend Forecast
Uploaded: 2016-07-15T14:36:09+12:00
Duration: 193 s
Description: The airflow around the country is most westerly at the moment, which is why some areas are fairly mild but across the weekend colder air moves in, getting even colder with snow showers in both islands over Sunday and Monday morning. Next week sees more downpours and a mixture of windy westerlies and colder sou'westers.

NZ Herald

15 Jul, 2016 06:42 AMQuick Read

The airflow around the country is most westerly at the moment, which is why some areas are fairly mild but across the weekend colder air moves in, getting even colder with snow showers in both islands over Sunday and Monday morning. Next week sees more downpours and a mixture of windy westerlies and colder sou'westers.

Auckland was struck by thunder and lightning this afternoon as a line of thunderstorms moved north.

The front had earlier moved up from Taranaki, along the coast, with lightening and thunder being most active over the water and where the storms connect with land, Metservice said.

As it went inland the Thunder was mostly confined to Waikato, with the greater region and Rotorua already having felt the violent winds and thunder.

Motorists are being urged to take care in the central Hawke's Bay tonight, as winds continue to affect the region.

Police say the windy conditions are likely to continue for most of the night, which could make driving particularly dangerous for high-sided vehicles.

They're asking motorists to watch their speed and following distances, and keep an eye for any debris which may have blown onto roads.

In more positive weather news, the South Island has received a good covering of snow with Cardrona and The Remarkables receiving 15 cm over night, Mt Hutt and Coronet Peak 10 cm, and in the North Island both Whakapapa and Turoa received 12 cm.