Re: Funnel Cloud over Akld - Mar 9

[NZstorm]

Decent looking funnel cloud over Auckland now though starting to rope out.

[Vertigo]

yes, saw that just as i got home! was a good looker for a while there!!

[ricky]

Was just looking at that from mt roskill, looked to be over onehunga / harbour way.. A good heavy shower here now from the convection

[spwill]

The Funnel cloud from my place. Heavy shower here currently

[Manukau heads obs]

looked amazing from here!
drove up the road to get a better view
photo did not do i justice though
was half way to the ground
very impressive!

[spwill]

I drove around the corner to get a better view but it was weakening.

[Vertigo]

Yea, by the time I could view it properly, it had become rain obscured.. which I guess cut off its warm air supply.

[LaundryQueen]

Taken from our deck in Ellerslie at 6.20pm, looking SSW - didn't last long in this form

[NZstorm]

Unfortunately the precip started falling into it and it started to weaken.

[03Stormchaser]

Thats 3/4 way to the ground, nice stuff did it touch down?

[03Stormchaser]

From trademe:

[Manukau heads obs]

too far away to look any good on camera

[David]

Awesome! couldn't see anything from here. I've Never seen a funnel cloud for myself before

[Manukau heads obs]

and too think I posted that I did not think the convergence would come to much
about 10 minutes after I posted that I did notice a nice tower going up
later I thought I better check on how that was developing...couldnt believe my eyes to see this funnel coming out the bottom above the tree line...grabbed the camera, got a shot, showed the kids, piled them and the wife into the car, up the road for a better look, and got a good view then watched it rope out and then the rain got heavy where it was
not sure how long it was going before I first saw it, but it must have lasted 15 minutes?
I wonder if there was a swirling wind right under neath it?
the cloud that caused it did eventualy glaciate and anvil a bit

[Manukau heads obs]

some more good photos
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/image ... 83#7422483

not sure about the cooler/warmer air rotation thing that Phillip is quoted as saying
to me this was all about sea breeze convergence causing a localised area of strong updraft
I.e I did see a strong tower go up and after the funnel the cloud top became a fully formed CB and there was heavy rain

[spwill]

and too think I posted that I did not think the convergence would come to much

I thought the 12C dewpoints were going to be a bit marginal for showers but the upper air was quite cold today. Still have the cold upper air tomorrow but probably not the convergence with an afternoon SW breeze developing across the region.

[David]

Interesting to see the pics from Howick And Bucklands Beach, I didn't see it! Even sadder for me If only I knew in advance so I could have gone to get some photos from a vantage point...

[littleheaven]

Got a great view of it from Bayview on the North Shore when I spotted it while standing in my driveway. Talk about excited! My hands were shaking so much I could barely take the photo!

[Manukau heads obs]

makes it even more dramatic looking when you cant see the bottom like that!

[littleheaven]

I was so sure it had touched down somewhere, when I saw it like that.

[03Stormchaser]

Probably the best photo of the funnel cloud I have found so far on the net:

199661_209041605777299_175759119105548_935215_5753020_n.jpg

[NZstorm]

I would say the vortex from that funnel would have been on the ground so technically a tornado. Better named a landspout tornado which is the same thing as a waterspout. I stopped work a few times yesterday afternoon looking for spouts so I'm glad I saw this one.

The Whenuapai sounding from last night showed the air unstable to about 4200m.

[Nev]

Gotta be one of the most photographed funnels in NZ...

TVNZ has some footage.

TV3 also have a few stills.

[spwill]

I would say the vortex from that funnel would have been on the ground so technically a tornado. Better named a landspout tornado which is the same thing as a waterspout.
.

Could it have developed off the water between Otahuhu and Onehunga.

[Manukau heads obs]

some nice looking builds up around the place again
stronger sea breeze here though today (an actual westerly flow, clouds are moving in from the west now)