“`html
Severe Thunderstorm watches Issued for New Zealand on Boxing Day
MetService has issued severe thunderstorm watches for large swathes of both the North and South Islands on Boxing Day, threatening disruptive weather conditions for holiday celebrations. The upper North Island is bracing for heavy downpours, while the lower South Island faces the risk of exceptionally large hail.
A cold,unstable airmass is currently impacting the South Island,prompting thunderstorm watches for Christchurch,Dunedin,Clutha,the Canterbury Plains,the Canterbury High Country,North Otago,Central Otago,and Southland throughout this afternoon and evening. Forecasters warn these storms could escalate,producing hail exceeding 20mm in diameter – a size capable of inflicting important damage too vulnerable infrastructure.
“These storms may become Severe this afternoon and evening with hail, larger than 20mm,” a MetService representative stated, highlighting the potential for widespread disruption to crops, orchards, vineyards, glasshouses, and vehicles.
Simultaneously occurring, a complex weather trough is tracking across the upper North Island, bringing a heightened risk of severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall to Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, the western Bay of Plenty, and Rotorua between 2pm and 8pm. Hourly rainfall totals could reach between 25mm and 40mm, raising concerns about surface and flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas adjacent to streams and rivers.
A separate thunderstorm watch is in effect for the eastern Bay of Plenty and the far north of Gisborne from 7pm to 11pm. Additionally,heavy rain watches are currently in place for Wellington untill 3pm and the Tararua Range until 5pm,with a moderate possibility of these being upgraded to warnings. A further heavy rain watch extends over the bay of Plenty east of Whakatane, lasting from 7pm Friday until 6am Saturday.
Severe Thunderstorm Watches
- Area: Christchurch
- Period: This afternoon and evening
- Forecast: Thunderstorms possible, with potential for hail exceeding 20mm.
- Area: Dunedin
- Period: This afternoon and evening
- Forecast: Thunderstorms possible, with potential for hail exceeding 20mm.
- Area: Clutha
- Period: This afternoon and evening
- Forecast: Thunderstorms possible, with potential for hail exceeding 20mm.
- Area: Canterbury Plains
- Period: This afternoon and evening
- Forecast: Thunderstorms possible, with potential for hail exceeding 20mm.
- Area: Canterbury High Country
- Period: This afternoon and evening
- Forecast: thunderstorms possible, with potential for hail exceeding 20mm.
- Area: North Otago
- Period: this afternoon and evening
- Forecast: thunderstorms possible,with potential for hail exceeding 20mm.
- Area: Central Otago
- Period: This afternoon and evening
- forecast: Thunderstorms possible, with potential for hail exceeding 20mm.
- Area: Southland
- Period: This afternoon and evening
- Forecast: Thunderstorms possible,with potential for hail exceeding 20mm.
Thunderstorm Watches
- Area: Northland
- Period: 2pm – 8pm
- Forecast: Severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall. Hourly rainfall totals could reach 25mm-40mm.
- Area: Auckland
- Period: 2pm – 8pm
- Forecast: Severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall. Hourly rainfall totals could reach 25mm-40mm.
- Area: Coromandel Peninsula
- Period: 2pm – 8pm
- Forecast: Severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall. Hourly rainfall totals could reach 25mm-40mm.
- area: Western Bay of Plenty
- Period: 2pm – 8pm
- Forecast: Severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall. Hourly rainfall totals could reach 25mm-40mm.
- Area: Rotorua
- Period: 2pm – 8pm
- Forecast: Severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall. Hourly rainfall totals could reach 25mm-40mm.
- Area: Eastern Bay of Plenty
- Period: 7pm – 11pm
- Forecast: Thunderstorms possible.
- Area: Far North of Gisborne
- Period: 7pm – 11
More on this
- Pyrocumulonimbus, Explained: When Wildfires Make Their Own Storms (daybreakwire.com)
