It’s been a very active time for some parts of New Zealand over the last 24 hours and something that hasn’t been witnessed for months.

Reports of a tornado in New Plymouth last night, hail and heavy rain with thunderstorms over the Wanganui region, torrential downpours over many parts of the lower North Island, thunder and steady rain for parts of Nelson, very high temperatures for Gisborne and Napier yesterday afternoon have all occurred and on and on it goes.

WeatherWatch.co.nz issued a risk of a tornado for the Taranaki region firstly at 5pm and then again mid evening. Although it’s yet to be confirmed 100% as a tornado or a severe freak wind gust residents in a New Plymouth street heard it coming last night and it was followed by a loud bang.
Two homes were damaged with debris spread far and wide.

“At about 4pm yesterday it appeared conditions were ripe for possible tornadoes across Taranaki” says WeatherWatch Analyst Aaron Wilkinson.” It’s always tricky to get these sorts of things on paper as to be precise is always a tough job but we issued our first warning just before dinnertime.” 

Torrential rain and heavy showers also peppered parts of the lower North Island with thunderstorms being quite a feature.
There were reports of surface flooding in a few areas as well.

Rainfall totals have certainly exceeded all forecasters expectations over some southern parts of the island.

“To see that Wellington and Wanganui have already exceeded 65mm is certainly great news but surprising” says Weather Analyst Richard Green.”The Wellington region could see between another 10-30mm today and even Masterton got a decent soaking with 40mm last night.”

Weatherwatch believed showers were more likely initially yesterday but there was more energy in the system that rolled over the North Island than anticipated delivering some torrential downpours.

Other areas such as Kaikoura have seen over 80mm inside the last day and further showers or rain are likely to fall today in those centres that have already seen reasonable rainfall.

Very high temperatures across parts of Gisborne and Hawkes Bay yesterday saw the mercury climb to 33 degrees over both Napier and Hastings with Gisborne clocking up 31 degrees.
Even though a few showers managed to get to the eastern coastline it didn’t stop the regions from baking.
Today it’s exoected to be much cooler with a wet southerly kicking in.

Tuesday doesn’t appear quite so action packed overall but still most of the country should see either a smattering of showers with rain likely about southern and eastern areas of the North Island. There’s also a moderate risk of isolated heavy showers today across the north.

Nelson, Marlborough and parts of North Canterbury have seen areas of rain persist overnight but this should ease back gradually to a few showers throughout the day and clear away later.

The Far South is wondering what all the fuss is about and today sunshine should be the most predominant feature.

WeatherWatch