Kiwis are being warned of a risk of flash flooding, slips and dangerous driving conditions after MetService issued a severe thunderstorm warning for some of the North Island.
In an update on Tuesday afternoon, MetService said severe thunderstorms had been detected near Whangamomona, Waitaanga, and Tahora. These are moving south and are expected to lie near Whangamomona, the hill country west of National Park, and Tahora at 2:37pm, and near the south Taranaki inland hill country and the hill country west of National Park at 3:07pm.
A second update for Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast and Upper Hutt City also warned of severe thunderstorms around Otaki, the southern Tararua Ranges and Te Horo.
These are expected to lie near Otaki, Paraparaumu, Waikanae, the southern Tararua Ranges and Te Horo at 2:52pm and near Paraparaumu, Waikanae, and the southern Tararua Ranges at 3:22pm.
In another update, MetService said it had detected severe thunderstorms near Tirau, Putaruru, Arapuni, Lichfield and Hodderville. They are expected to move southeast and lie near Tokoroa, Kinleith and Te Whetu at 3pm before moving to near Kinleith, Upper Atiamuri, Atiamuri and the hills and ranges east of Tokoroa at 3:30pm.
"These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and hail. Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous."
MetService provided the following advice:
"The National Emergency Management Agency advises that as storms approach you should:
- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
- Get back to land, if outdoors on the water;
- Move cars under cover or away from trees;
- Secure any loose objects around your property;
- Check that drains and gutters are clear;
- Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.
- During and after the storm, you should also:
- Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding."s.
A severe thunderstorm watch, issued earlier on Tuesday for between 1pm and 9pm, remains in place for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, and Taihape.
At 12pm, loud rolling thunder could be heard in Hamilton as rain and hail pelted down. Images from a Hamilton property show large build-ups of hail around the house.
"I have never in my life heard thunder quite like today, it's been rolling constantly for the last 10 minutes without stopping," one person said.
"Plenty of thunderstorms and heavy showers popping up around the North Island already and later this afternoon looks more intense!" Metservice tweeted.
On Tuesday afternoon, Waka Kotahi warned the road conditions could be "frightening" as the bad weather cause chaos.
"Drivers should take extra care on Wairarapa and Wellington state highways today and tonight with bad weather forecast for the region."
A heavy rain warning is in place for the Tararua District and Wairarapa north of Featherston on top of the severe thunderstorm watch.
"It means drivers must be prepared for wet weather and hazardous driving conditions. Localised flooding and slips are a possibility across the regional state highway network," said Waka Kotahi.
"Road users should drive to the conditions, watch their speed and following distances and use their headlights when visibility is bad. People should also check road conditions and make sure routes are open before they travel."
