A motorist captured the results of the deluge of heavy rain on Auckland's Southern Motorway near Penrose. Video / Charles West
Flights out of Auckland Airport have been grounded as electrical storms lash the top half of the North Island.
An Air New Zealand spokesperson said due to thunderstorms in Auckland this afternoon a handful of their services were disrupted.
“Any disrupted customers will be re-accommodated and we would like to thank them for their patience while we work through these weather challenges.”
Fresh severe thunderstorm alerts continue to be issued this evening as the line of electrical storms bear down on Waikato, Auckland and Northland.
With the top half of the country presently under a severe thunderstorm watch, at least four separate electrical storms are rolling across the upper North Island.
MetService says radars have detected electrical storms moving northwest over the Waikato, and were set to lie near Hamilton before 8pm.
A second alert has thunderstorms bearing down on settlements south of Auckland. region.
Earlier, storms hitting Auckland caused problems for motorists with a deluge of heavy rain leading to significant flooding and affecting lanes on the Southern Motorway.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said southbound lanes remained blocked due to flooding on State Highway 1 near the Mt Wellington on-ramp.
Inspector Jason Homan said contractors are working hard to clear flooding on the motorway network and people are asked to take extra care when passing roading crews.
Motorists were advised to expect delays.
Severe storms
MetService this afternoon issued a number of severe thunderstorm warnings across the top of the North Island spanning from the Bay of Plenty to the Far North.
Thunderstorms rolled across Auckland, Howick, Manukau, South Auckland, Auckland Airport, Helensville, Kaukapakapa, Parakai and Makarau bringing torrential rain and flash flooding to parts.
SH1 MOUNT WELLINGTON, SOUTHBOUND - FLOODING - 3:20PM The right lane is BLOCKED near Mt Wellington on-ramp. Please expect DELAYS. ^SG pic.twitter.com/oNtx4dfwwg
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) December 26, 2022
In the north, thunderstorms weren detected in Dargaville, Purua, Moengawahine, Maungatāpere, Tangiteroria, Te Kopuru, Okahu, Titoki, Maungakaramea and Tokatoka.
About 4.20pm, MetService also detected thunderstorms in the Bay of Plenty near Waikato and Matamata Piako, causing them to issue a fresh warning for severe weather.
Just after 5pm this evening, thunderstorms were also detected near Hamilton. Met Service said these storms are currently tracking northwest and are expected to hit Huntly and the surrounding towns at around 6pm this evening.
“These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain...
MetService has now advised that the thunderstorms that brought sudden, heavy downpours causing flash floods around Auckland have eased, but are likely to return this evening.
It may not be four seasons in one day but there is certainly the chance for a beach day to turn into a stormy one. Be prepared to take cover if you're out and about enjoying the parts of Auckland where the sun is still shining pic.twitter.com/muAfImnmHC
“MetService forecasters will continue to monitor the situation and further Severe Thunderstorm Warnings may be issued if the storms become severe again,” a spokesperson said.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for the Auckland region until 9pm this evening.
MetService has also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Northland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo between 2pm and 9pm.
One of our staff based in Auckland sent in this photo of a thunderstorm cloud from the Poor Knights Island looking towards Tutukaka. Thanks for sending it in! pic.twitter.com/RV7g75bmQy
Dark grey clouds loom amid the sunshine on Boxing Day in Manurewa, Auckland. Photo / Supplied
MetService is warning that some downpours could be severe and cause surface or flash flooding.
“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
“Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.”
It's generally fine across NZ today but isolated thunderstorms are forecast from Northland down to Taumarunui this afternoon & early evening
“Reduce speed… as it is a contributing factor in a third of fatal crashes and is involved in 71 per cent of injuries.”
Meanwhile, much of the country is in for a summer scorcher this week with temperatures on the rise.
MetService said a ridge of high pressure is driving temperatures up and Wanaka could reach 30C tomorrow.
With a ridge of high pressure strengthening over NZ in the coming days temperatures are on the rise with Wanaka expected top out at 30C tomorrow
Remember in the sun it will feel even hotter than our forecast highs, so keep sun smart & hydrated while you're enjoying all that 🌞 pic.twitter.com/LznG1Qr6jj
Elsewhere, Hamilton and Whanganui are expected to be the hottest areas today with a forecast of 26C.
Tomorrow, Hamilton’s forecast high is 27C while Auckland’s is 26C.
“Remember in the sun it will feel even hotter than our forecast highs, so keep sun smart and hydrated while you’re enjoying all that,” MetService said.
