NZ Weather Forum

I see Met service have a thunderstorm watch up for eastern areas for heavy rainfall this afternoon.
The gfs has a forecast lifted index of -4.4 for Gisborne but the 500mb wind is 10kts. That makes for very slow moving pulse cb's.

Lightning strike hits Hamilton water supply
NZPA
A lightning strike at Hamilton's water treatment plant has affected water supply in parts of the city.

The lightning strike happened about midnight, damaging computers and alarm systems at the Peacockes Rd plant, which provides all of the city's fresh water supply.

City Waters manager Tim Harty said this had affected water to the city and some residents were experiencing low pressure, and in extreme cases, a total loss of water supply. Residents in Hillcrest and Flagstaff areas were particularly affected.

"We are currently bringing the plant back on line, but having lost all power and communication, this takes some time," said Mr Harty.

Council water engineers were assessing the damage, and were checking reservoirs and pump stations. It was hoped supplies will be restored later this morning.

Damaged alarm systems meant council staff were locked out, and had to break in to gain access this morning.

Interesting this, as i just reviewd all the lightning data from last night and sure enough the storm i hear here at 11.30 moved over hamilton. In all it has been an active couple of days and very much enjoyed

thunderstorms currently firing up over whakatane area and out to sea. i see metservice picks a high risk of severe thunderstorms, no doubt related to the slow motion of the storms. would be nice to be down there today.

Is this a false colour on the radar? Its pink/purple, the highest on the radar scale?

Not a lot to report from Whakatane. I'm working in various wards doing some annual's. Obviously I'm keeping a watch out, but the occasional showers aren't heavy, now low cloud, high humidity, otherwise boring.

Even though M/s have posted no risk for Waikato I still think its quite possible for things to get going.

Not a lot to report from Whakatane

Lightning active Cb clouds on the eastern side of the Ranges, slow moving on the Mahia radar, must be some good rain dumps over the Mnts currently

I don't see how Waikato will kick off today when they are stuck in a showery southwesterly, and the upper flow looks pretty flat.

It looked better at 1 PM, now all the showers have fibrous tops on them, arggg!

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Napier Hastings
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Issued by MetService at 04:10 pm Friday 22 January 2010.
Valid until 05:00 pm Friday 22 January 2010.

This warning affects people in the following local government areas:
HASTINGS and NAPIER.

At 04:00 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near NAPIER, ESKDALE, RISSINGTON, HASTINGS, FERNHILL, BRIDGE PA and PAKIPAKI.

These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the northwest, and are expected to lie near NAPIER, ESKDALE, RISSINGTON, HASTINGS, FERNHILL, BRIDGE PA and PAKIPAKI at 04:30 pm and near NAPIER, ESKDALE, RISSINGTON, HASTINGS, FERNHILL, BRIDGE PA, MARAEKAKAHO and PAKIPAKI at 05:00 pm.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.

Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.

Very heavy rain associated with this storm has been reported earlier from MAHIA RADAR.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for GISBORNE and HAWKES BAY

I see 27.8mm in the last hour in Napier!!!

Hi Guys!
Another newbie here. Im in Hastings and the Metservice forcasted storms arrived right on schedule. I took a drive up Temata Peak around 3pm and took some photos of the approaching storm. When we came back down, decided to head out on one of the back rounds and watch abit more, saw a few beautiful cg strikes but unfortunately wasnt quick enough off the mark to get any photos
The rain that came with it was definitely heavy, we had to pull over as even with wipers going full steam they couldnt deal with the deluge.
Theres still the odd rumble but its mostly quiet now.
Has been an awesome afternoon!

10 minute deluge in Havelock North, 7mm.
Not good for Hayley Westenra concert tonight

kelhb wrote:Hi Guys!
Another newbie here. Im in Hastings and the Metservice forcasted storms arrived right on schedule. I took a drive up Temata Peak around 3pm and took some photos of the approaching storm. When we came back down, decided to head out on one of the back rounds and watch abit more, saw a few beautiful cg strikes but unfortunately wasnt quick enough off the mark to get any photos
The rain that came with it was definitely heavy, we had to pull over as even with wipers going full steam they couldnt deal with the deluge.
Theres still the odd rumble but its mostly quiet now.
Has been an awesome afternoon!

Hi kelhb

Welcome to the NZWF - great reading your report!!! look forward to seeing some pic's, Awesome

Had a funnel tornado on tv in the manawatu disappeard back into the cloud,not sure which part,perhaps Gregg W may know,also heavy flooding in Flaxmare Hastings,better than Jims bumbling on the weather report tonight

Michael wrote:Just like Spring here,showers and Gales.

21 knots is not a gale.

Myself wrote:
21 knots is not a gale.

It is around Micheal's place. You should know that, especially from the SW

JohnGaul
NZThS

NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote: It is around Micheal's place. You should know that, especially from the SW
JohnGaul
NZThS

LOL hahahaha!
Oh btw Micheal,
Did you find the broom to sweep up the pine needles?

Na not today just left them,theyll all be back tomorrow,the low has stalled to the east.

Tornado Tim wrote:

NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote: It is around Micheal's place. You should know that, especially from the SW
JohnGaul
NZThS

LOL hahahaha!
Oh btw Micheal,
Did you find the broom to sweep up the pine needles?

LMAO!! That's the spirit I love to see round here..!

It did go off this afternoon around Whakatane, started firing up about 1.45pm, I actually managed to see a decent CG out the window at one stage. Lots of thunder even stuck inside working it was cleary audible.

In Hindsight I wish I could have gone chasing.

I was out by Fernhill just after 3pm today as the storms approached, was very impressive as the very low cloud started to cover the plains. Didn't have the camera with me though

I took this looking towards Hastings around 5pm as things started to clear a bit

Michael wrote:Had a funnel tornado on tv in the manawatu disappeard back into the cloud,not sure which part,perhaps Gregg W may know

I'm not sure either Michael. We had thunderstorms to the SW of Palmerston North, yesterday and to the E of Palmerston North today. If I find out any more info, I will let you know.

62mm in the gauge this morning. Yesterday started off with frequent storm activity from latest afternoon to early evening then rain continued on. The storms were impressive early on as I left work in central Hastings with some beauty cg strikes. At one point the cloud was so low and scud like it was fascinating to watch. Quite cool and windy from the SW here this morning.

whats the go for tomorrow? i thought there would have been some discussion about this by know!