Unsettled Week, Tasman Lows, 1-7th October

[Vertigo]

yay, mini tornadoes!

the active line looks great at this point, but im doubtful if itll make its way over land very far.

[David]

The front doesn't look amazing on the radar I have to say, looks like your standard rain band

[Nev]

^ Yeah, but look how active it is on the lightning tracker!

[Manukau heads obs]

has been dying down a bit the strike rate at times, but these storms have been going through bursts of activity

[NZstorm]

There certainly has been a lot of lightning out to the west today. The am band has been crackling all afternoon. The upper North Island is within the exit area of quite a strong upper level jet stream and the divergence is whats causing all the thunderstorms. I would say a lot of the convection is elevated. An overcast misty day in Auckland with 16C.

[Manukau heads obs]

there was enough break in the cloud when I was down at the west coast this morning for me too see the upper level clouds, and yes, you are right NZStorm , looked like elevated convection, explaining the mainly cloud to cloud lightning

[Manukau heads obs]

heavy rain moving in here now, black as here to my north now
lightning strikes have faded though...but this looks like a new CB line, so it my become lightning active yet.

[David]

yes, it's pouring down here

[Manukau heads obs]

just had a brief clearence (beneath the anvil moving in from the north)
and can see nice looking convection way out to my west

[KiwiWeather]

Sheet lightning here and a good 10 Sec's 'til the glorious cacophony of thunder!

[David]

lightning, few seconds to thunder

[Manukau heads obs]

yes, just starting to pick up strikes in your direction Peopled_diagram
(plotted perfectly actually right over papakura area)

[NZstorm]

Heard that thunder to the east. Heavy rain here.

[KiwiWeather]

Thanks for the pointer Brian, it wasn't as far away as I initially thought.

[David]

check out the rain in St Heliers, wow http://destin.co.nz/weather/

[KiwiWeather]

It has been absolutely torrential here for the past 45 min's. Just died down now.

[David]

(plotted perfectly actually right over papakura area)

The single strike I saw was just to the west of Howick, and can't have been much more than 2km away

[jamie]

wow 16 degrees and torrential rain. maxing out at 126mm/hr. still coming down too. had 8mm in about 5 mins or even less

[jamie]

i really like the almost hook development on the cell moving over hamilton.

[Tornado Tim]

Severe Thunderstorm Warning:
Possible Tornadoes in this storm.....

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Issued by MetService at 08:05 pm Monday 03 October 2011.
Valid until 08:52 pm Monday 03 October 2011.

This warning affects people in the following local government areas:
STRATFORD and NEW PLYMOUTH.

At 07:52 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near NORTH
TARANAKI BIGHT.

These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the southsoutheast, and are
expected to lie near NEW PLYMOUTH, WAITARA, NORTH TARANAKI BIGHT, BELL BLOCK,
MOTUNUI and LEPPERTON at 08:22 pm and near NEW PLYMOUTH, STRATFORD, INGLEWOOD,
MIDHIRST, TARATA, EGMONT VILLAGE and LEPPERTON at 08:52 pm.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain, damaging
wind gusts and possible tornadoes.

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

Very strong wind gusts can break branches from trees, damage roofing, and make
driving hazardous especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Tornadoes can blow out windows, lift roofs, break large branches off trees,
generate dangerous flying debris and blow vehicles off the road.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for BAY OF PLENTY, COROMANDEL
PENINSULA, TARANAKI, TAUMARUNUI, 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 08:52 pm Monday 03 October 2011.

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Yes. It's that bloody El Nino returning????????

JohnGaul
NZThS

[jamie]

lightning picking up again. should get to go to sleep listening to thunder!

[Tornado Tim]

lightning picking up again. should get to go to sleep listening to thunder!

Yup, it has reactivated nice.....
Update: Distant thunder heard now

[Nev]

More Severe Thunderstorm Warnings have been issued for Taranaki.

Been watching distant lightning from here ... not too sure exactly where though.

Earlier tracker pic...

[Tornado Tim]

Bright flashing going on to the north, thunder getting more close now