WeatherWatch.co.nz is tonight monitoring thunderstorms off the North Island’s west coast.  As of 7pm 252 lightning strikes had been detected in the past hour.

The rough weather is due to a low in the Tasman Sea and this evening MetService is advising there is a HIGH risk of thunderstorms about Taranaki tonight with the added risk of a tornado.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says it’s not uncommon for Taranaki to be hit by twisters as the region is almost an island in itself, surrounded by water to the north, west and south.  It allows rainbands to move in without the disabling effect of the land.

Tomorrow a thunderstorm risk remains for the entire western side of the North Island and WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts a low chance of small tornados in coastal areas from Taranaki to Waikato, even Auckland.