Sudden thunderstorm 'godsend for farmers'

MAKING A SPLASH: A car is driven through surface flooding on SH2 at Awatoto, Napier, following a downpour. PHOTOS/DUNCAN BROWN

Ferocious thunder, lightning, hail and torrential rain pummeled Central Hawke's Bay yesterday afternoon - but it was short lived.

The thunderstorm hit about 2.30pm and lasted no longer than an hour, leaving a mop-up job for shopkeepers and providing much needed moisture for farmers.

Metservice issued a severe weather warning about 9am yesterday advising the deluge may cause surface flooding, slips and make driving conditions hazardous while rivers and streams could rise rapidly.

But residents did not expect the dramatic scenes which followed.

"In 20 minutes we had 20mm at my house on Tiko Rd," CHB Mayor Peter Butler said. "The thunder rocked and rolled continuously for about 40 minutes - there was plenty of lightening along the length of the highway, from home I can see from Takapau to SH50 - it was quite spectacular."

While the downpour blocked drains, temporarily flooding Waipukurau's main street and causing minor water damage at the ANZ bank, Mr Butler said it was a godsend for farmers.

"Central Hawke's Bay needs rain and it's magnificent rain - plenty of nitrogen comes down with a thunderstorm."

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Owen Spotswood says it was the swift, heavy downpour which caused a drain to flood, adding they were able to quickly remove the blockage.

"It had been raining but then it got really heavy for about 10 minutes - the heavens opened up - there was thunder, lightening and some hail amongst it," he said. "Water only got into the ANZ and one other shop, a real estate office, but the damage was minimal."

Metservice meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said the sudden storm was caused by a complex trough crossing central New Zealand targeting Tararua District and south Waipukurau.

In the nine hours between 3pm and midnight last night 70 to 100mm was expected to fall with peak intensities reaching 20mm to 30mm/h.

"We have seen quite a lot of strikes with that front, it's progressing but it's going to clear through the North overnight [last night]."

Hawke's Bay people can expect the "messy system" to be replaced by a broad southerly flow which will see the temperature fall from a high of 20C yesterday to a maximum of 15C today and tomorrow.

"It's going to be pretty cloudy with scattered showers, a southerly coming in is going to be quite nasty and quite cold through into Sunday, hopefully showers will be easing by then."

Rain is set to continue through Monday, clearing late on Tuesday except for some isolated areas south of Wairoa.