Thunderstorm Outlook
Issued at 6:58am 2/07/2026
Valid from 6:58am 2/07/2026 to Midnight 2/07/2026
There is minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection during this period.
Issued at 10:06am 2/07/2026
Valid from Midnight 2/07/2026 to Midday 3/07/2026
There is minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection during this period.
Issued at 7:44pm 2/07/2026
Valid from Midday 3/07/2026 to Midnight 3/07/2026
Updated at 7:40pm Thursday - Low risk added to Fiordland from Friday evening. A front in the Tasman Sea approaches the southern South Island late Friday with rain spreading into Westland and Fiordland during the day. There is a low risk of a few thunderstorms embedded within the rain-band over Central and Southern Fiordland from evening. There is a minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection over other parts of New Zealand on Friday.
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.
