Massive hailstorm pelts cars in Whangārei Heads. Video / Supplied
Large hailstones have fallen in Auckland as Metservice has warned of more thunderstorms, lightning and torrential rain and hail across the upper North Island.
Albany was hit with heavy hail at 5.20 according to resident Vanessa Malam, who said she could see it coming across Schnapper Rock from Greenhithe.
Drivers are warned to take care, and to also be alert to surface and flash flooding.
The severe thunderstorm warnings for Northland, Auckland and Bay of Plenty have been lifted, but those for Waikato, Matamata Piako, Tauranga, Waipa and Otorohanga remain.
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.
Hail in Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Supplied
A tornado funnel was spotted from Paeroa in the Waikato region. Photo / Chanel Reid
Hawke’s Bay north of Napier is already under a heavy rain warning, with 90mm to 140mm expected, especially in the ranges, and 170mm possible in Wairoa District.
Hailstones the size of coins dropped upon Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Supplied
Hail fell down upon Albany in Auckland's North Shore around 5.20pm. Photo / Supplied
The 18-hour warning ends at 3am tomorrow, but heavy rain was expected to ease south of the Wairoa District late tonight.
A 22-hour heavy rain warning for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti began at noon today with 110 to 170mm of rain forecast to fall, especially in the ranges.
A tornado funnel was spotted in Whangārei. Photo / Lyn Groenewald
Northland and Auckland were also affected by thunderstorms that crossed the top of the country yesterday afternoon, with a Grey Lynn villa and a Mangawhai home catching fire after being struck by lightning.
Pictures sent to the Herald show hailstones the size of small coins that dropped upon Albany in Auckland’s North Shore around 5.20pm.
The thunderstorms should ease early evening, but rainfall of this intensity could cause surface or flash flooding, slips and hazardous conditions for motorists.
