Severe thunderstorms, possible tornado, wind gusts up to 120kmh on the way

Tuesday, 4 June 2019

Strong winds have started hitting the Far North, with reports of a tornado causing damage to buildings, as stormy weather starts to sweep across the North Island.

Santosh Khanduri, who works at the Four Square on SH10 in Coopers Beach, said he saw a 'small tree' being pulled out of the ground by the wind as he left his house for work.

'I felt like the whole building was shaking. It was too windy.' Other reports said a roof had been ripped off a building.

Aucklanders had been warned to expect to see the worst of the weather to hit around 2pm-3pm, as a band of heavy rain moved across the city. Strong wind gusts reaching up to 100kmh could be expected, affecting mostly the eastern parts of the city, such as the Hauraki Gulf.

Thunderstorms and severe gales could hit Auckland and other parts of the upper North Island on Wednesday (file photo).

* South Island endures mixed start to winter as cold snap continues to bite**

MetService meteorologist Peter Little said strong gusts would mostly affect exposed areas, but could also be felt on the Harbour Bridge on Wednesday afternoon.

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Showery patches of rain can be expected throughout the evening, with strong south west winds ramping up around 9pm, Little said.

The stormy weather is a result of a deepening low moving across the Tasman Sea, which will bring bursts of heavy rain to many parts of the North Island.

Those in Waikato, Tauranga and the central part of the North Island can also expect patches of heavy rain from late morning and into the afternoon.

In Wellington, Little said there was reasonably calm weather on Wednesday morning. However strong wind gusts were predicted for the afternoon.

Strong southerly gales reaching up to possibly 120kmh were expected to hit the capital around 4pm.

'Wellington is going to have a fairly stormy day,' Little said.

MetService will have a strong wind warning in place for Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds from 4pm Wednesday to 1am Thursday.

Those in Christchurch and Dunedin will 'miss out' on the worst of the weather.

Both of the southern cities weren't expected to receive much rain on Wednesday, but Little said it's still going to be a cold day and an even colder evening.

Christchurch was forecast with a high of 9 degrees Celsius, and an overnight low of -3C.

Dunedin had a high of 9C and an overnight love of 4C. However temperatures around Dunedin airport could drop to -1C.

'Parts of Central Otago are going to be cold,' Little said, with Clyde and Alexandra expected to drop to -4C. Twizel will be even chillier with an overnight low of -5C predicted.

Heavy rain began to fall in the far north early Wednesday morning. The lower North Island received some scattered showers.

MetService said there was a risk of severe thunderstorms in Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula through to lunchtime. The risk continued into the afternoon for Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula. The thunderstorms could bring damaging winds with gusts greater than 110kmh and also the risk of a damaging tornado.

This could cause structural damage, as well as damage to trees and powerlines. Tornados, meanwhile, would only affect 'very localised' areas.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was 'yet' to attend any weather related incidents in Auckland and Northland, northern communications shift commander Daniel Nicholson said at 8.10am.

However, 'we are prepared' he said, and could call in more staff if needed.

Christchurch and Wellington teams were also available to assist in taking 111 calls if the lines became busy.

'We are expecting it, it's just a matter of when,' he said.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region urged swimmers and boaties to keep away from exposed beaches and rocky shorelines between Wednesday and Saturday due to dangerous sea conditions.

Waves exceeding 10 metres from Thursday were predicted.

'Boat fishers are strongly advised to not venture out into the open ocean - particularly around the west coast - because of the gale force marine conditions and enormous seas,' a spokesman said.

Winds could also be strong in Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and northern Waikato, Bay of Plenty including Rotorua, Taranaki, Kaikōura Coast, Wairarapa, and Kāpiti.

Heavy rain was possible in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Bay of Plenty including Rotorua, Wairarapa and Tararua District.

Once the low had crossed the country it would be followed by a very cold southwest flow, MetService meteorologist Matthew Ford said.

'We have a few features and fronts going across the country, but basically we're in a cold southwest flow for a few days.'