Storm hits, brings lightning and floods

Lightning in Te Atatu, Auckland last night. Much of the electrical storm involved fork lightning. Photo / Michael Schollum

Auckland and Northland were hit by more than a thousand bolts of lightning last night and meteorologists are predicting the bad weather will be around for some days.

The foul weather has caused slips and flooding across the North Island and snow has closed some South Island roads.

Deafening claps of thunder shook buildings in central Auckland, where the cavernous nature of some of the streets bordered by towering buildings seemed to amplify the intensity of the noise.

Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan said much of the electrical storm involved fork lightning, the most dangerous type.

He said that in such conditions, people should switch off non-essential electronic appliances, such as computers, until the storms have passed.

The stormy conditions are being caused by a low just north of NZ.

Slips and flooding

In the central North Island, continued heavy rain caused slips and flooding resulting in a number of road closures overnight.

State Highway 4 was closed from Wanganui River Road to Raetihi following a major slip.

Traffic was being diverted through SH1, police said.

Shortly after midnight police said SH57 had flooded between Palmerston North and Linton.

Rain also caused slips in the Manawatu Gorge and contractors were called in to keep the road open.

Police this morning warned drivers of high sided vehicles and motorcyclists to avoid SH56 and SH57 near the Manawatu town of Shannon due to high winds.

Icy roads

Motorists in the lower half of the South Island have been warned there is severe ice on the roads.

Police said motorists travelling between Invercargill and Winton should drive with caution as "extreme ice" on the road had made it almost impossible to even stand on.

SH8 was closed between Fairlie and Lake Tekapo due to snow.

Motorists were advised to use chains when travelling on SH73 near Arthurs Pass.

MetService warnings