+ The Stats on Yesterday’s Thunderstorms in Auckland, Winds in Wellington.
Another day of gales, heavy showers and thunder is on the way today with all of New Zealand exposed to some type of severe weather.
“After a quiet start, Spring has finally roared into life!” says the Radio Network’s head weather analyst Philip Duncan. “Westerlies are going to pummel western parts of New Zealand with Aucklandand Wellingtonmost exposed”.
Thunderstorms are expected in some western regions although with less warm humid air over the country they aren’t expected to be as spectacular as yesterday’s thunderstorms over Auckland. (see end of story for quick-fire stats).
The South Islandwill later today cop a cold south westerly which should see snow to low levels in parts of Southland and Otago. “Farmers should really just be aware of it, but there is no need to be too concerned. This system is rocketing through and the snow should be light and short lived”. Duncan says warmer nor westers will return to the South Islandin just 24 hours after this afternoon’s cold front arrives. (Wednesday afternoon/evening).
Further north and Christchurchshould start off with a mild morning, but the cold south west change is expected to arrive mid this afternoon cutting the temperature in half. “A high of 17 should drop to just 8 or 9 by the end of today with tomorrow’s high only around 10”.
Meanwhile school kids on holiday in Wellingtonwill have to put up with strong to gale force winds for the rest of the week. “Conditions have eased a bit from yesterday’s 120km/h wind gusts, but we’re still likely to see gusts to 80 today. A brief and much lighter southerly will move in overnight tonight, but nor westers will pick up by tomorrow afternoon and gust to gale force on Thursday and Friday”.
SPRING STORM STATS:
Auckland:
– Thunderstorms peaked at 59 strikes per minute yesterday afternoon,
– A few thousand were recorded in total.
– Nor west gales roared over the city with gusts to 100km/h downtown and 120km/h on the Manukau Heads overnight.
– Temperature fell 4 degrees in 60 minutes after the lightning passed.
– Heavy rain caused surface flooding.
– Huge thunderstorms swarmed over the Hokianga Harbour and Hibiscus Coast late last night.
Wellington:
Gale force nor westers made for rough landings in the Capital with gales gusting to 120km/h around the city.
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