Thunderstorm Outlook
Issued at 7:24am 17/02/2026
Valid from 7:24am 17/02/2026 to 1:00am 18/02/2026
There is minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection during this period.
Issued at 7:51am 17/02/2026
Valid from 1:00am 18/02/2026 to 1:00pm 18/02/2026
There is minimal risk of thunderstorms or significant convection during this period.
Issued at 9:07am 17/02/2026
Valid from 1:00pm 18/02/2026 to 1:00am 19/02/2026
A combination of afternoon and evening heating and wind convergences are expected to bring showers to the central North Island and inland Canterbury, with a low risk of thunderstorms as depicted on the chart. The risk of thunderstorms is considered moderate however about the ranges of Hawke's Bay and Gisborne/Tairawhiti, eastern Taupo and Bay of Plenty. These thunderstorms may produce localised rainfall rates of 10 to 25 mm/h. No thunderstorms or severe convection expected over the remainder of New Zealand.
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.
