Severe thunderstorm watch for Northland, heavy rain expected

MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch from 4pm this afternoon. Photo / NZME

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Northland, as a frontal weather system moves toward New Zealand.

MetService this morning issued the watch from 4pm this afternoon until midnight.

Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said atmospheric conditions conducive to thunderstorms could bring heavy rain and short, sharp bursts in localised areas.

Makgabutlane said if thunderstorms did occur, surface flooding, especially in low-lying areas, was possible.

Peak rates of between 25-40mm an hour were forecast, she said.

“That’s a lot of rain to fall in such a short space of time.”

Conditions would likely be at their worst this afternoon and evening, and the weather would ease off moving into Wednesday.

But Makgabutlane said isolated showers were still possible.

Northlanders across the region woke to warmer temperatures thanks to the system which was bringing air from a warmer area.

Kaitāia hit a low of 15C overnight, meanwhile Kerikeri hit 8.8C and Kaikohe 11C.

It was a sharp contrast to chilly conditions over the weekend that saw Ruatangata hit a low of 3.5C.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.