WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters continue to monitor potential thunderstorm activity across the country today as hot, humid and calm conditions remain in place.

Most of the North Island has a risk of significant afternoon thunderstorms which could lead to localised surface and flash flooding, hail and even funnel clouds.  Through the South Island it’s mostly inland parts of Otago and Canterbury and amongst the northern ranges.

Yesterday major thunderstorms developed around northern Waikato, South Auckland, the Hauraki Plains and Gisborne ranges.  Today the risk zone is greater.

“The best way to keep safe today is to keep an eye on the sky” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

“These tropical-like afternoon heat showers can form rapidly but if you’re watching the clouds today you’ll be able to see where the biggest cloud build ups occur. The one’s that look a bit ominous probably are”.

Mr Duncan says while many areas of New Zealand will be sunny and hot today, afternoon thunderstorms can be dangerous and quite explosive – and will pop up where the sea breezes push them.  “If a thunderstorm forms near you then the best place to be is indoors – and remain there until the thunderstorm passes”.

Lightning kills more people worldwide than any other severe weather.

Government forecaster MetService says there is a “moderate risk” thunderstorms could become “severe” in the North Island – their risk zone covers much of inland North Island but also Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula.

“At the moment we have a similar sea breeze in Auckland to yesterday” says Mr Duncan “The easterly seems stronger which means many central and eastern areas are sunny – but already we’re seeing signs of large cloud build-ups around western and southern parts of the city”.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

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Help be our eyes and ears today – if you see or hear thunder please let us know (and don’t forget to tell us where you are!)