Thunderstorms weaken, move offshore after severe warning of hail larger than 20mm for East Coast

MetService had earlier issued an urgent severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the East Coast of the North Island this evening. Photo / Getty Images.

MetService has issued an urgent severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the East Coast of the North Island this evening, which is expected to bring hail potentially larger than 20mm.

Severe thunderstorms have been detected by radar near Wairoa and Whakaki at approximately 3.30pm, MetService said, but they are quickly moving eastward.

The storms were expected to hit the Mahia Peninsula, Nuhaka and Morere at about 4pm.

MetService has now said the thunderstorms have moved offshore and weakened, and have retracted the warning.

These thunderstorms were expected to be accompanied by large hail, which can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous, MetService warned.

⛈⛈⛈

Severe thunderstorm with hail potentially larger than 20mm.

Get all the details: https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5

Eyes on the radar: https://t.co/EEdc2vBgYD https://t.co/behxPW7E9k

— MetService (@MetService) September 15, 2022

This severe weather event is relatively isolated, with the only other warnings across the country being a heavy swell warning for parts of the Wairarapa.