Thunderstorms, SI to Lower NI 17th January, 2013

[NZstorm]

Yesterday the thunder was over coastal Canterbury, today its over inland Canterbury.

Central NZ is within the exit region of the jet today so large hail likely if any storm gets organised. The southerly change could be a good spot for that to happen.

Nice to see a polar trough in mid Jan!

[jamie]

how far north will the thunder get Steven? Is it a south of lake taupo event?

[Richard]

Starting to look rather unstable now with a pea sized hail shower a few mins ago.

[Chris Raine]

Cb's appearing around Oamaru currently

[jamie]

Cb's appearing around Oamaru currently

will this be like the 10th day they have a thunderstorm this year? Lucky buggers!

[Gary McConnochie]

Cold here in Staveley. Looking towards mount somers.

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[jamie]

scattered thunderstorms around the south island at the moment and in the lower north island.

[Orion]

Just heard thunder here

[Tornado Tim]

Metservices Thunderstorm Outlook for reference:

Very cold upper level temperatures spread over New Zealand today, increasing the risk of thunderstorms in many places.

There is a general low risk of thunderstorms over most of New Zealand from Waitomo, Taihape and central Hawkes Bay southwards, excluding northern Fiordland and southern Westland.

A front lies over Buller and is expected to move onto the North Island this afternoon. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms associated with this front over northern Buller and northwest Nelson this morning and over Taranaki,Wanganui, Manawatu, the Tararua District and Kapiti this afternoon. These thunderstorms could produce localised heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and small hail. For the remainder of Buller and northern Westland, the risk of thunderstorms remains moderate through this morning and into the afternoon. These thunderstorms could also produce localised heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and small hail.

A trough moving north over the east of the South Island and south of the North Island may produce thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening. The risk is moderate over northern Otago and Canterbury, but high about the Kaikoura Coast,Wellington and much of Wairarapa. There is the chance of these thunderstorms producing localised heavy rain and hail up to 20mm in diameter, and for the Kaikoura Coast northwards there is also the possibility of strong wind gusts. For the Kaikoura Coast, Wellington and Wairarapa there is a moderate risk of these thunderstorms becoming severe with hail bigger than 20mm in diameter and wind gusts of 110 km/h or more.

Finally, over southern Fiordland, Southland and Clutha there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms until mid-evening. These thunderstorms could be accompanied by hail up to 20mm in diameter.

[Richard]

Now a high risk of severe thunder storms.
The SSE wind has died which is a good sign

[Tornado Tim]

Now a high risk of severe thunder storms.

I think your reading it wrong.
There is a high risk of general storms with a moderate risk of severe storms.
The general storms can contain hail between 10-20mm but with severe storms can contain hail 20mm+

[matty25nz]

Canterbury now on Severe Thunderstorm Watch on Metservice updated at 1.57

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH

Issued by MetService at 01:57 pm Thursday 17 January 2013
Valid until 06:30 pm Thursday 17 January 2013
This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:
Christchurch
Canterbury Plains
Canterbury High Country

Thunderstorms have developed just inland of Timaru. There is a possibility of some of these thunderstorms becoming SEVERE this afternoon and further SEVERE thunderstorms developing over the Canterbury Plains during the afternoon. If SEVERE thunderstorms occur they are likely to be accompanied by large hail in excess of 20mm diameter. Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, as well as make driving conditions hazardous. The thunderstorms should ease late this afternoon or early evening.

Issued by: Allister Gorman

This watch will be updated by: 06:00 pm Thursday 17 January 2013

[Orion]

Ten seconds between lightning and thunder here. Rain beginning.

[Orion]

That was interesting! Brilliant lightning, electricity went off, thunderclap within 2-3 seconds, power resumes. Thankfully computer and phone were disconnected. (posting from mobile phone - and that went dead half an hour ago, until I removed and replaced battery.)

[Razor]

Interesting. Just a dullish cloudy day here in ChCh with patchy blue sky to the south

[Orion]

Temp. had been up to 11 within an hour or so ago but now back down to 7.3deg. Raining, overcast. Gentle to moderate southeasterly breeze.

[snowstormwatcher]

just had a heavy shower here with one clap of thunder, Looks like more unstable clouds in the distance out west over the ranges.

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Looks very black towards TC at the moment. Some sfericals .
No thunder heard here so far today just rain with some good showersthrown in.

[matty25nz]

friend told me thunder lightning and hail in ashburton for last half hour or so

[Captain Salty]

storm coming in fast on the radar and lightning tracker

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Just heard my first clap for the day.
Right in the heart of TC

[dogmelon]

Its not going to do a 45 degree turn into town. Oh well.

[spike_01]

Just had 1st flash and thunder right now ..

[Razor]

Extremely dark to the WSW of the office here (Riccarton), ChCh may catch the edge

[Richard]

Heavy shower at the moment and starting to look stormy to SW.