Thunderstorm Outlook
Issued at 7:20am 6/02/2026
Valid from 7:20am 6/02/2026 to 1:00am 7/02/2026
A front moves northwards and weakens over southern Westland this morning. There is a low risk of thunderstorms in Westland this morning, especially in the south. A westerly flow covers central New Zealand this afternoon and evening, with a shallow low developing over Marlborough and North Canterbury. There is an associated low risk of thunderstorms about southern Marlborough, Kaikoura, and North Canterbury this afternoon and evening as indicated on the chart. There is minimal risk of thunderstorms occurring elsewhere in New Zealand today.
Issued at 8:58am 6/02/2026
Valid from 1:00am 7/02/2026 to 1:00pm 7/02/2026
There is minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection during this period.
Severe Thunderstorm Criteria
In New Zealand, MetService classifies a thunderstorm as severe if one or more of the following criteria are met:
Heavy rain (from thunderstorms):
Rainfall of 25mm/h, or more.
Large hail:
Hailstones 20mm in diameter, or larger.
Strong wind gusts (from thunderstorms):
Gusts of 110km/h (60 knots) or stronger.
Damaging tornadoes:
Fujita F1 - i.e. wind speeds greater than 116km/h (63 knots) or stronger.
Note: some tornadic systems such as funnel clouds, waterspouts and small land-based tornadoes are possible with thunderstorms that may not be classified as severe.
