UPDATED 3:45pm — Over 2000 lightning strikes were recorded this hour, almost entirely over Northland as the most active band of thunderstorms in about four years crossed the region, says WeatherWatch.co.nz.
The total number of strikes detected by the free and live Lightning Tracker at WeatherWatch.co.nz has reached over 15,000.
The impressive front inched towards the west coast of Auckland and Northland but only grazed northern parts of Auckland.
Rumbles of thunder were heard across some parts of the city but for the most part, as earlier predicted, it was mainly to the north of urban areas.
A WeatherWatch.co.nz reader, going by the online name of “Whangarei Resident” told us a short time ago “WOW – that thunderclap shook the house. I counted 6 secs from flash to crash. Its a beauty!”.
“Laura” from Northland wrote “Near Kaikohe there’s incredibly loud thunder and lightning flashes. The wind has just got up and it is torrential rain. Really exciting!”.
“It’s just arriving in Whangarei. Loud clap of thunder a couple of minutes ago and now the heavens have opened. Haven’t had a good thunderstorm in ages!” wrote Alison.
This photo was taken on the Kaipara Harbour/Pouto Peninsula area at 1.21pm as the first thunderstorm started to roll in. Uploaded by: Rachel Kuljish
“This is one of the most active thunder bands we’ve seen in some time” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan. “These thunderstorms may produce localised flash flooding and produce damaging tornados”.
Mr Duncan says any tornado would be small scale, such as EF0 or EF1 – similar to other damaging tornados across the North Island this year.
The band of torrential rain and thunderstorms is now mostly clearing Northland and should be gone by 5pm.
– WeatherWatch.co.nz
Comments
Latest Video
Sunday Newsfeed: Low pressure areas increase offshore near northern NZ in days ahead
A light easterly kicks in to the north of the North Island on Sunday as high pressure moves south east…
Related Articles
Weekend Newsfeed: High pressure arrives, dragging in some cloud, more settled nationwide
Sunday – High pressure crosses NZ properly and winds ease for many regions and most (but not all) showers will…
Anzac Day Newsfeed: Severe gales, heavy rain for some, settled for others
Updated 4am — High pressure over northern NZ moves east of the country on Thursday while a storm south of…
VIDEO: Anzac Day + weather to next Tuesday
Anzac Day looks mild for many parts of NZ with windy nor’westers gusting to gale force for some. Many regions…
Add new comment
Guest on 21/09/2011 1:22pm
This would be a great time to have a “haka”……very impressive. And OK, I’m from Texas, and you’ll just put our little thunderclappers to shame. Would have loved to have seen this.
Be safe y’ll…………….
Mike in Texas
Reply
richardmcb on 19/09/2011 7:54am
I take it we are going to miss the fireworks again.
Can’t remember the last time we had a decent show of lightning.
Are you scaring it away Phill?
Reply
Doug Bowker on 19/09/2011 3:58am
We could hear the thunder in the distance from about noon at Waimamaku, South Hokianga and it finally hit us about 1.30pm. Lasted about an hour and took the power out over a large area. Some hail mixed in with the rain. Sounds like more on the way as well.
Reply
Whangarei Resident on 19/09/2011 2:53am
WOW – that thunderclap shook the house. I counted 6 secs from flash to crash.
Its a beauty!
Reply
didi on 19/09/2011 2:46am
its loud here too in kerikeri thought we woukld of had more rain though just lots of thunder love it wonder hw long it will last wind not to bad yet
Reply
Laura on 19/09/2011 2:17am
Near Kaikohe there’s incredibly loud thunder and lightning flashes. The wind has just got up and it is torrential rain. Really exciting!
Reply
Alison on 19/09/2011 2:00am
It’s just arriving in Whangarei
. Loud clap of thunder a couple of minutes ago and now the heavens have opened. Haven’t had a good thunderstorm in ages!
Reply
didi on 19/09/2011 1:28am
will it hit kerikeri can hear thunder a long way a way i hope dont really what wind though as our covers over our spring crop of courgettes can come off in gales hope they dont come here what you think
Reply
Guest on 19/09/2011 1:24am
Thunder is now above us here at Dargaville/Pouto area. Thunder very loud and the rain has started.
Reply
Hamish on 19/09/2011 1:12am
Looks like it could be just scraping over Wiri in South Auckland looking at the lightning tracker, and the wind has picked up around here in the past 45 minutes, but it certainly has darkened up out west looking out over Auckland Airport. Hoping for a good lightning show though, haven’t seen a good one close up since I was in Pennsylvania in 2009!
Reply
View more comments