Possible thunderstorms 10-12 Feb

[Ryan Thomas]

Sounds awesome! only "severe" thing about it is the rain hehe, but thats a bit for Christchurch if it actually does happen! (15-30mm/h), hope its like one we had in December a few years ago (Think it was December of 2004 or 2005) and lightning was flashing very frequently and the hail piled up deepish and it reminded me of winter and there was nothing about thunderstorms that day on the news!

[Razor]

A warm 28.5 degrees at Jeffs station, and blowing from the south now. Perplexing.

[03Stormchaser]

Was out birdlings flat early this morning and it was SW there all morning! I was surprised, warm wind though.

See abit of CU about now high based atm. Hopefully things change

[03Stormchaser]

Thunderstorm now NW of CHCH, Oxford area.

[Vertigo]

latest skew-t for whenuapai

[David]

Sky shows no threat of rain, very hot and muggy though. MS wrong! Tomorrow looks okay for a thunder risk, but I'm thinking today is a non-event. The rain system in several days looks to be weak, with nowhere near enough rain to ease the drought. This is just sad.

[Manukau heads obs]

there is a shower line developing way out to our west David, heading our way
should be some action weather this evening here

[Inny Binny]

And at last the temps seem to be dropping. Took a while.

[gllitz]

I see M/S have actually UPGRADED the risk for Canty to HIGH risk...hmmm...

"NOTE: Chart updated at 3:30pm to add 10-15mm hail and increase the risk of severe thunderstorms about CANTERBURY.

The atmosphere over New Zealand is expected to be unstable over much of the country today, with thunderstorms expected in many areas.

In the North Island, the most likely areas for thunderstorms are about eastern areas from Northland to Bay of Plenty, and also about western areas from Waitomo to Manawatu. There is a lower risk of storms elsewhere as indicated on the chart. The thunderstorms are most likely in the late afternoon and evening, and will be accompanied by localised heavy rain, some hail, and possibly strong wind gusts.

In the South Island, the most likely area for thunderstorms is about Nelson,Buller, Canterbury and inland Otago this afternoon and evening, and in Marlborough this evening and tonight. Localised heavy rain and hail will acompany the thunderstorms.

In Canterbury, it is possible a few of the thunderstorms could be severe with rainfall rates as high as 30mm/hr. Rainfall rates of this intensity can cause flash and/or surface flooding, especially about low lying areas such as valleys,streams and drains. Hail up to 15mm diameter can also be expected with these storms."

[Razor]

Looks stormy inland from ChCh now, some impressive CB's out my window

[jamie]

Rain Radar showing alot of heavy showers along the foot hills at the moment. Be interesting to see if these move out into the plains or individual storms develop closer to the coast.

[Razor]

I would say inland Canty is getting a really kicking at the moment, looks very dramatic out the the NW and seems to be inching accross towards town

[mikestormchaser]

id have to agree Razor certainly is coming closer but note its funny its coming from the NW still hot out right now on around 25C at a guess, i haven't actually checked the temp.
heaps of strikes inland in radar though and alot of serferic on radio!

[Brassnz]

I recall a spectacular thunderstorm in Chch which arrived from the NW, in 2000 or 2001 when I was living down there. I'm certainly no expert, but I seem to remember it was noted at the time as being a fairly rare occurence. Anyone else recall this event?

[Inny Binny]

Did get a bit of a shock looking at that tracker, a ton on the NW quater.

[Razor]

I recall a spectacular thunderstorm in Chch which arrived from the NW, in 2000 or 2001 when I was living down there. I'm certainly no expert, but I seem to remember it was noted at the time as being a fairly rare occurence. Anyone else recall this event?

I rememebr a few NZ storms around new year, a few years back, which could be that time. They were very dramatic and at night.

This event today is looking very interesting, still a S wind blowing but its as black as night to the NW and moving closer to ChCh. Thunder heard as I type now. Seems like a rapidly developing event at the moment

[Inny Binny]

Wow, the latest pic from the tracker showed quick movement towards us!

[rediguana]

I see that MS has 'upgraded' us from moderate to high risk of severe thunderstorms in the 1539 SC/TO.

[gopolks]

Yep, it looks like thunderstorms are coming, although there is not one drop of rain at the moment.

[tich]

Yes, certainly looked dark to the northwest as I was coming back into Chch around 5pm.

[David]

Castle Hill weather station just recorded 31mm in half an hour, I'm not sure about the other 33mm it has had today, but it could have been in the half hour before that. That is heavy for sure!
Latest update of Canterbury City councils rain gauge network - Cheeseman had 55.5mm in the last hour (3.30-4.30pm)

[jamie]

Bah whats up with the metservice site ...Nice time to crash

Looking at the storm tracker there is so much lightning i cant work out where the storms are lol. Sure must be a good site out there at the moment and with those amounts of rain fall it sure sounds like a day to enjoy.

[Ryan Thomas]

Haven't seen any and been going out every 10 mins to look for a minute or 2

[gllitz]

Just got home and had a pretty heavy shower just come thru...no thunder, tho...

[Vertigo]

my god! the christchuch detector is going insane!

peak strike rate: 67/min!

ive never seen so much lightning recorded before. you bastards!