“There’s a band of rain that comes through mid-to-late morning. And behind that we’ve got a strong gale, southwesterly showers.”
It comes after Auckland Emergency Management warned residents to “be ready”, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and possibly “damaging” tornadoes in store during tonight’s rush hour.
The agency said it expected the weather to be “severe” and reminded Aucklanders to check their gutters, secure furniture and take extra care while driving.
Forecasters say temperatures will dip “well below average” for September, with some areas waking up to lows below zero because of a “polar vortex”.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said there was a “small chance” of small tornadoes in many areas of the country.
“I think the possibility [of tornadoes] happens more than people realise,” she said.
Makgabutlane said there was a high possibility of “intense rainfall” too for Auckland, Northland and the Coromandel.
Meanwhile, NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi has warned Auckland commuters to “take extra care” on the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Tuesday, with strong southwest wind gusts predicted between 9am and 9pm.
“These southwest gusts are expected to become more frequent, reaching 90–100 km/h through the afternoon and early evening,” a statement from NZTA said.
NZTA said it was likely speed limits may be reduced and some lanes on the bridge may close if gusts reach “threshold levels”.
“The bridge will remain in a 4 x 4 formation during the morning peak.
“Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions and look out for the electronic message boards which will indicate lane closures and reduced speeds, and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge.”
NZTA advised drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists to avoid the harbour bridge and instead use the western ring route on State Highway 16 and SH18.
Makgabutlane said the wild weather would have moved away overnight but a new weather system would take its place tomorrow, bringing more rain.
“We do have another weather system that moves through sort of in the middle of the day, so brief respite and then another weather system moving through tomorrow.”
MetService also reported tornadoes were possible in the Bay of Plenty and northern regions of Gisborne in the afternoon.
Makgabutlane told the Herald most of today’s lightning action had been over the sea, just west of New Zealand, with over 2400 lightning strikes recorded by 4pm.
Only two of those strikes had been over the country.
“Those thunderstorms are expected to move over land this afternoon and evening,” Makgabutlane said.
Another front is due to move over the northeast of the lower South Island in the afternoon and evening. MetService is reporting a “low” risk of thunderstorms for Fiordland, southern areas of Westland and coastal areas including Stewart Island.
Temperatures ‘well below average’
Makgabutlane said behind the wild weather systems was an influx of colder air from a tropospheric polar vortex.
She said temperatures in Auckland would hit a max of only 14C; however, due to another cold wind hailing from the south, it would feel “much colder than that” through to Wednesday.
Makgabutlane said the lower South Island was in store for some frosty days, with temperatures rising to only single digits.
Alexandra, Wānaka and Queenstown usually see an average high of 15C at this time of year but will get a high of only 7C over the next three days.
“Heading into the morning, these areas will be starting in the minuses, which is well below average for this time of year.”
The wintry temperatures would also bring snow to low levels in the South Island and central North Island.
A heavy snow watch is in place in Taihape from 8am tomorrow and for Fiordland, Southland, southern Otago and Stewart Island from 5pm this afternoon.
Road snowfall warnings on major highways are in place in both the North and South Islands.
This includes Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Rd, Milford Rd (SH94) and Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1) from this afternoon and evening.
For the North Island, road snowfall warnings for Napier-Taupō Rd (SH5), Desert Rd (SH1) and Remutaka Hill Rd (SH2) are expected to come into force tomorrow from midday.
Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
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