MetService Severe Weather: 12th August. Video / Metservice
MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the lower North Island, saying accompanying gales could damage roofs and trees.
Other severe weather alerts have been issued along the east coast from Gisborne to Canterbury for this afternoon, as a cold snap sweeps the country and drops temperatures by 10C in minutes.
The forecaster warned those in the firing line to “batten down the hatches”.
MetService issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 3.38pm, covering Carterton, Tararua, Masterton, Upper Hutt City and South Wairarapa. Thunder is expected to hit Tauweru, Gladstone, the hill country east of Martinborough, Bideford, Carswell, Wainuioru, Westmere and Longbush.
A further warning was issued at 4.26pm, also affecting Hawke’s Bay. These thunderstorms were expected to be accompanied by damaging wind gusts.
Civil Defence said people should take shelter indoors and away from windows, avoid hiding under trees, get back to land if out at sea, secure loose objects, and adjust driving to the conditions.
Storm damage has been reported in Wellington, where gales felled a tree in Bridge Street Wesleyan Cemetery in Melling, Lower Hutt.
Severe thunderstorms and hail have been forecast for Gisborne, for between 5pm and midnight today; and in Tararua, Wairarapa, Wellington, Marlborough and Canterbury from now to 7pm.
Storm damage in Wellington: gales felled a tree at the Bridge Street Wesleyan Cemetery in Melling, Lower Hutt, on Monday. Photo / Richie Russell
Gales in Wellington and coastal Wairarapa, forecast for between 3pm and 6pm; and along the Kaikōura coast from 1pm to 4pm had potential to damage trees, down powerlines, destroy unsecured structures and make for dangerous driving conditions, MetService said.
Wind speeds were expected to reach up to 130km/h in places.
🟠Severe Weather Update🟡
💨The Wind Watches have been upgraded to Orange Warnings with gusts of 130km/h possible
⚡️In addition, Severe Thunderstorm Watches have been issued for the potential for damaging winds as thunderstorms pass through pic.twitter.com/oK8Asiw6za
In Auckland, a high of 16C was forecast, although it had only reached 13C by 2pm. Tuesday was expected to be fine apart from some light, isolated showers in the west before dawn. Wednesday should also be fine.
MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor said the weather was being driven by an intense cold front moving northwards, colloquially known as a “southern buster”.
“A ‘southerly buster’ is a particularly strong cold front, characterised by blustery wind changes and a large drop in temperatures”.
Temperatures around the country could drop by 10C “in a matter of minutes”, she said.
Niwa shared sped-up video footage of conditions over Christchurch, with thick, dark clouds barreling over the landscape and obscuring previously clear skies.
Into Tuesday, heavy swells of up to 6m were expected for the east coast of the North Island and the Chathams. Tairāwhiti Civil Defence posted a wave warning, saying it was expected to cover Mahanga to Lottin Pt from 9am tomorrow until 6am Wednesday.
O’Connor said the weather should begin to calm in other areas, with a high-pressure system expected to build over the country. Wednesday should begin with below-average temperatures, particularly around the central North Island.
“The cold snap is short-lived with above average temperatures expected from Wednesday afternoon as milder westerly winds develop about the lower half of the South Island, then spread northwards over Thursday.
