Wild weather: School holidays off to wet and windy start with thunderstorms and rain forecast

Keep the board games handy and don’t forget your umbrella, as miserable weather conditions are set to dampen the spirits of children and parents across the country at the start of the school holidays.

According to MetService, there is a risk of thunderstorms about most western areas of the country from Waikato to Central Westland until midnight tonight.

They will bring brief heavy rain and hail, as well as squally northwest wind gusts of 90 to 110km/h.

Here is the 48 hour rainfall forecast, valid midnight Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/dkuOzCPL22

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 9, 2023

At the same time, there is still a threat of storms for Auckland and Northland.

According to MetService, there is a risk of thunderstorms spreading southwards over the northern North Island, mainly during the afternoon and evening, but also at night around the Taranaki and Bay of Plenty regions.

These thunderstorms could be significant, with localised heavy rain, hail, strong squally wind gusts and possibly a few small tornadoes.

The organisation attributed the conditions to a big low from the Tasman Sea moving over the country.

MetService forecaster Aidan Pyselman said this kind of unstable atmosphere leads to very heavy showers, thunderstorms, lightning and squally conditions.

“The nature of the set-up means we can’t pinpoint where it’s going to happen, so it’s quite broad-brush over large parts of the country.”

The Tasman Sea has been electrifying!

Well over 8⃣0⃣0⃣,0⃣0⃣0⃣ lightning strikes have been observed in the past 24 hours.

Note the waves of thunderstorms (lightning) moving southeast.

Thunderstorms will become more widespread & active over much of NZ in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/Jvtb02cd5L

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) March 8, 2023

Niwa (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) recorded more than 800,000 lightning strikes in the 24 hours to 1pm on Sunday.

And over the Easter long weekend, Auckland and Tasman were plagued by freak tornadoes that brought down trees and damaged houses.

However, Auckland Emergency Management said there is still a chance of more tornadoes to come.

Group controller Mace Ward said it is hard to pick where the greatest risk is and almost impossible to predict where a tornado might appear.

The organisation’s advice if you see a tornado is to seek shelter immediately. If you’re inside, stay away from doors and windows, and stay downstairs if you’re in a multi-storey building.

For added protection, get under something sturdy, cover your body with a blanket or mattress, and protect your head with your hands.

If you’re outside, lay flat in a gully, ditch or low spot on the ground and protect your head with an object or your arms, and if you’re in a car, pull over and shelter in a low spot.

Pyselman said it’s looking like a fairly unstable week.

He said the low which is affecting the country will gradually cross and weaken away on Wednesday.

“But there are still fairly unsettled-looking conditions, with a lot more shower activity over both islands.”

MetService wants people to continue to check their website for weather updates and call 111 if anyone is in immediate danger.