General December Weather

[Michael]

Looks fairly anticyclonic so far,depends whether the summer starts today or the solistice in 3 weeks hence given that summer already begun last month but other years eg 2004 didnt start till just after the solistice.

[Richard]

Certainly feels like we had half the summer already Michael.

Not sure what the day will bring here today as its drizzling out there at the moment,weather map NZ forecasts has my area in for only a 14C high,bugger,its only going to warm by one degree from the 13C it is now.

[jamie]

sky looks more unstable today already than it has done in ages. Will chase if something is good like last night and close thats for sure.

[Manukau heads obs]

light SE here in the clouds (only way I can tell is via my web cam movie as the clouds are moving so slowly)
and yes they have some height to them already, so I agree looks unstable
north waikato could be a good spot today

[Tornado Tim]

Yes looks like a storm could develop this arvo/evening.

Ricky/Brian are you still thinking about coming down?

[Tornado Tim]

Owh, I am loving this:

Light winds and warm humid conditions are expected over the central North Island this afternoon and evening causing daytime cloud buildups, scattered heavy showers and a few thunderstorms.
The most likely area for thunderstorms is west of Taupo from Waikato to Taranaki.
The risk of thunderstorms developing is mainly moderate, producing localised
heavy rain of 15-20mm/hr and small hail. However for the area from inland south
Waikato to Taumarunui, there is a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms this
afternoon and evening, producing localised downpours with rainfall rates of
20-30mm/hr, and hail of 5-15mm in diameter. A severe thunderstorms watch is in
force for this area.
In the South Island, there is a moderate risk of a few afternoon and evening
thunderstorms developing about inland parts of Nelson, Buller and Marlborough,
producing localised heavy rain of 15-20mm/hr and small hail. There is a low risk
of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening about Central Otago and the south
Canterbury high country.
No other thunderstorms are expected over New Zealand.

[Dale]

Certainly felt like a storm day when the missus & I were sitting outside having a cuppa this morning.. even she commented on it which means that something will crop up heh.

[NZstorm]

I notice the 18Z run of the gfs shifts the instability more over the lake Taupo/southern Waikato region and also weakens it from what we have seen on previous runs. I notice Graeme's Tokoroa site has 30C with a dp of 16C so that looks encouraging.

[Tornado Tim]

Me and Ricky are thinking about heading to Waitomo and see where that leads us

[Manukau heads obs]

vis sat pic shows cloud build ups tauramanui area...and NW of there, drifting NW, so waitomo a good place I would think
22.5C here, same as Auckland city area, so the sea breeze cooling on this side is not as much as other days

[CHCH Weather Chaser]

Interesting reading about the La Nina and Christchurch Sunshine hours last 2 months. Not much of the sun today, a cloud day but rather humid at the same time. Outlook period still looking dry!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/4 ... o-continue

[jamie]

Tim and Ricky are in the Waitomo area. Just Tcu about at the moment was the last txt i got from them. I think i will pick my camera up after work and head for otorohonga and hopefully catch up with them. We are now getting tcu to our west.

[NZstorm]

Some t/cu out to the SE of Auckland.

From the local airport metars Auckland Airport got to 25C, Ardmore 24C and Whenuapai 24C.

[jamie]

sticky. 27/17 at matangi and 25.5/18 at horsham downs. sticky! just want things to fire. they look like they are all around lake taupo.

[spwill]

Looks like scattered heavy showers over the central north Island high ground currently.
Waitomo can be a hard area to chase in with the slow roads and plenty of hills to block views.

[Nev]

M/S have 30C for Taumarunui today (they've had 28-30C for the last few days). Also 28C for Tokoroa and Hamilton Aero.

Only 23.2C here today, despite the endless sunshine.

[David]

A pleasant start to summer, slightly cooler but was muggy. Max 22C.

[Nev]

Look's like it's firing up down that way...

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH

Issued by MetService at 05:23 pm Wednesday 01 December 2010
Valid until 09:00 pm Wednesday 01 December 2010
This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:
Waikato
Waitomo
Taumarunui
Rotorua
Taupo

Light winds and warm humid conditions over the central North Island have led to the development of slow moving thunderstorms from Waikato to Taumarunui this afternoon and evening. These thunderstorms could produce localised downpours of 25-35mm/hr. Rainfall of this intensity can cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain. Hail of 5-15mm in diameter is also possible with these thunderstorms.

Code: Select all

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Issued by MetService at 06:35 pm Wednesday 01 December 2010.
Valid until 07:22 pm Wednesday 01 December 2010.

This warning affects people in the following local government areas:
SOUTH WAIKATO, WAIPA, WAITOMO, TAUPO, RUAPEHU and OTOROHANGA.

At 06:22 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near THE HAUHUNGAROA RANGE, TAUPO, KINLOCH, LAKE TAUPO and ONGARUE.

These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the northnorthwest, and are expected to lie near THE HAUHUNGAROA RANGE, BENNEYDALE, TAUPO, KINLOCH, MOKAI, LAKE TAUPO, TAUMARUNUI, ONGARUE and WAIMIHA at 06:52 pm and near BENNEYDALE, BARRYVILLE, TAUPO, KINLOCH, MOKAI, LAKE TAUPO, THE HAUHUNGAROA RANGE, ONGARUE and WAIMIHA at 07:22 pm.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.

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

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for ROTORUA, TAUMARUNUI, TAUPO, WAIKATO and WAITOMO.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management advises that as storms approach you should:
- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
- Move cars under cover or away from trees;
- Secure any loose objects around your property;
- Check that drains and gutters are clear;
- Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.
During and after the storm, you should also:
- Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.

This warning is due to be updated or lifted by 07:22 pm Wednesday 01 December 2010.

NOTE: Only severe thunderstorm tracks are shown in the graphic. Other thunderstorms may exist in the area.

MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: This warning will be updated within the next hour or so. MetService would appreciate it being broadcast regularly during this period.

[Richard]

Nice to have a cool day here with a 17C,got a fair bit of work done and no sweating

[NZstorm]

Looking like thunderstorms sparking north of Taupo.

[ricky]

We're sitting just to the north of a very nice thunderstorm East of Bennydale on SH30, lots of lightning up in the cloud but best thing is the deep thunder were some good inflow features earlier.. now very heavy looking rain out there..

[Storm Struck]

Its nice to see severe storms happening even without frontal systems, just goes to show how much we really are into summer now.
Look forward to seeing the photos guys.

An overcast day here for a change, although the day started off with a very light drizzle which quickly turned to a more thicker drizzle with light rain mixed in.
So a nice wee drop of 1.5mm to start the summer off.

[Nev]

We're sitting just to the north of a very nice thunderstorm East of Bennydale [Benneydale] on SH30, lots of lightning up in the cloud but best thing is the deep thunder were some good inflow features earlier.. now very heavy looking rain out there..

Wow! Looks good on the 7pm radar. You guys are almost right in middle them.
Well done MetService.

[jamie]

radar showing things building very quickly north between 7pm and 7.30. reminding me of Jan this year. im off to catch a better view

[NZstorm]

Quite a few showers there, hopefully good for some of those farmers.