Waterspouts seen in Auckland, storm warning for Waiheke Island

A waterspout seen from Waiheke Island's Oneroa this morning. Photo / Mark Stevenson

Waterspouts have been spotted in Auckland this morning as Waiheke Island is battered by a heavy thunderstorm.

WeatherWatch.co.nz said waterspouts had been reported in Auckland's Waitematā Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf.

"Extreme care is required due to cloud to ground lightning, localised flooding and the chance of a tornado," WeatherWatch said this morning.

Waiheke Island has been hammered by thunderstorms this morning.

Auckland: Here's the 821am radar grab of the line of thunderstorms currently affecting Waiheke. These have produced a weak waterspout, helped along by the warmer waters of the Gulf, and some lightning. Vessels in the area should obviously avoid the area. Any Qs, please ask ^GG pic.twitter.com/3b1bcHOtvp

— MetService (@MetService) April 22, 2019

Watching a #waterspout in the Rangitoto Channel @MetService @NiwaWeather @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/dsP5RpPSCE

— Ruth (@edrucationz) April 22, 2019

#HappeningNow: We have a #Thunderstorm near #WaihekeIsland - please take extreme care. Waterspouts also spotted.#Auckland pic.twitter.com/O2iT19gtlw

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) April 22, 2019

Waterspouts are a whirling column of air and water mist, often formed when there is relatively warm ocean temperatures, much cooler air temperatures and relatively (ambient) light wind.

Thanks for sharing the photo! Conditions are prime for waterspouts:

-Relatively warm ocean temps
-Much cooler air temps
-Relatively (ambient) light wind

These conditions create a 'waterspout season' in the Great Lakes region of the states during autumn season.

~Chris https://t.co/RtNm3Yc0gB

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 22, 2019

MetService meteorologist Amy Rossiter said a lingering low pressure system over the North Island today was bringing showers - some heavy - today.

Most areas would be fine today, but eastern Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Auckland could see some heavy showers and thunderstorms.

A ridge of high pressure would form tomorrow before weakening away on Wednesday as a weak front moved north across the country on Thursday.

Late Friday an active front would approach the lower South Island from the Tasman Sea then slowly moves north on Saturday bringing heavy northerly rain with it.

Today's weather

Whangārei

Fine spells and a few showers, possibly heavy with hail until evening. Southwest breezes. 20C high, 11C overnight.

Auckland

Fine spells and isolated showers. Possible thunderstorms and hail until evening. Southwesterlies. 19C high, 12C overnight.

Hamilton

Fine spells, but a shower or two, with possible thunderstorms and hail, mainly this afternoon. Light winds. 19C high, 8C overnight.

Tauranga

A few showers, possibly heavy with hail, easing this evening. Light winds. 20C high, 13C overnight.

New Plymouth Fine spells increasing. Chance shower until evening. Southeast breezes. 20C high, 11C overnight.

Napier Cloudy. A few showers, possibly heavy with hail, clearing afternoon. Easterly breezes. 20C high, 13C overnight.

Whanganui Fine spells increasing. Chance shower until evening. Southeasterlies. 20C high, 12C overnight.

Wellington Mostly cloudy, some morning drizzle. Strong southerlies gradually easing. 16C high, 12C overnight.

Nelson Chance early rain, then becoming fine. Southerlies dying out morning. 20C high, 10C overnight.

Christchurch Morning low cloud or fog, then fine. Cloud returns at night. Afternoon northeast breezes. 17C high, 7C overnight.

Dunedin Morning and evening low cloud or fog, otherwise fine. Light winds. 18C high, 11C overnight.