Thunderstorms western North Island 24 April

David · Unread post by **David** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:18

Saw one spectacular flash of forked lightning from here, best I have seen in probably years. Quite loud thunder too. Rain has cleared here though...

seej · Unread post by **seej** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:19

Intracloud lightning directly over us! - one with about 8-10 flashes in one go! Obscured forks by very light rain.

littleheaven · Unread post by **littleheaven** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:23

My sister is landing at Auckland airport in 10 min. Hope the lightning stays away from her plane!

03Stormchaser · Unread post by **03Stormchaser** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:28

Im expecting photos tonight!

seej · Unread post by **seej** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:31

This is when metservice should be issuing severe thunderstorm warnings.

Tornado Tim · Unread post by **Tornado Tim** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:38

seej wrote:This is when metservice should be issuing severe thunderstorm warnings.

based on what? because of the frequency of thunder? Rain needs to at least get to 25mm/hr or detect strong wind gusts etc before anything is classified as "severe".
Based on Radar and lightning activity it looks like decent storm but not severe.

Brassnz · Unread post by **Brassnz** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:40

It's great fun but I wouldn't call it severe.

Michael · Unread post by **Michael** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:41

Lightning out west

David · Unread post by **David** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:41

Another rumbling in the distance. Man I love that sound.

GraemeWi · Unread post by **GraemeWi** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:41

Nice display out west in Henderson, mostly IC for me, with nearly continuous background rumbles of thunder.

Tornado Tim · Unread post by **Tornado Tim** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:45

I can see the distant lightning flicker from here

KiwiWeather · Unread post by **KiwiWeather** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:51

Great show here over the past 30 minutes. Really bright sheet lightning, good thunder but receding.
Have all the lights out and loving my illuminated keyboard.

Brassnz · Unread post by **Brassnz** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:51

It's also been interesting watching aircraft movements at Akld International Airport tonight, which I can see from my lounge here on the hill across the Manukau Harbour. Runway 05 in use, and Jetstar271 to Wellington just did left turn out from departure (to the North) before looping over the harbour and heading southwest. There is stuff out there which is worth avoiding.

Tornado Tim · Unread post by **Tornado Tim** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:53

Metservice has updated its outlook tonight:

Metservice wrote:Updated at 8.35pm to include a high risk over parts of Auckland.

A front and small low moving out of the north Tasman Sea are expected to move onto the northern and central North Island this evening. There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms associated with this front from southern Northland to northern Taranaki this evening and, and about eastern Bay of Plenty tonight.These thunderstorms are expected to produce localised heavy rain in the 10-25mm/hr range, squally winds and small hail. There is also a risk of a small tornado. In western parts of Auckland, the risk is now seen as high.

In the South Island, a seperate front moving across the Tasman Sea should move onto the west coast tonight. There is a moderate to high risk of thunderstorms associated with this front, bringing localised heavy rain, small hail, and possibly one or two small tornadoes.

No other thunderstorms or severe convection expected over New Zealand today.

David · Unread post by **David** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:57

Seeing about 1 strike every 3 minutes to the west here. It has become more distant than it was earlier though... weird.

Area51 · Unread post by **Area51** » Wed 24/04/2013 20:59

Hey Brassnz, yup the controllers are working well tonight coordinating 05 departures and 23 for arrivals but its been upto 9kts tailwind on a wet runway so sporting for the drivers!
Lightning has suspended ground handling ie unloading bags/fueling etc.

Brassnz · Unread post by **Brassnz** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:04

Cheers Area51 - it's almost as interesting to watch as the storm.

littleheaven · Unread post by **littleheaven** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:06

My sister just landed - said they came in over Whitford to avoid the storm. Hope she's not too held up by them not being able to unload the bags.

spwill · Unread post by **spwill** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:07

In Arrowtown this week so mlssing these storms, bugger

David · Unread post by **David** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:11

Another rumble heard here just now. I see the storm has finally moved onto land, Waitakeres must be getting some heavy rain.

Brassnz · Unread post by **Brassnz** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:12

Huge flash 'n' crash out of nowhere - nothing here for 30mins or so.

KiwiWeather · Unread post by **KiwiWeather** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:12

Another cell is active close-by $\:D/$

Area51 · Unread post by **Area51** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:17

Must be fairly 'large' as virgin flight departure to Brisbane is steeping well east/northeast of track for 40 miles!

Brassnz · Unread post by **Brassnz** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:18

I noticed that too - there's doin's a-transpirin'.

littleheaven · Unread post by **littleheaven** » Wed 24/04/2013 21:18

Looking west from Glenfield, just saw an impressive CG strike this side of the Waitakeres.

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