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Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-23rd October

Posted: Mon 20/10/2014 22:45
by Tornado Tim
Convergent showers with low risk of one or turn turning into Thundershowers in the afternoon tomorrow in the Waikato down into Taupo.

Re: General October Weather

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 06:30
by NZstorm
I would included Auckland in the low thunder risk area. Cloud layers look like being a big issue today.

Re: General October Weather

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 08:26
by spwill
Yes, comes down to heating today to how heavy/widespread those late showers will be.
Reasonable moisture showing at the Airport, 12C dp.

Re: General October Weather

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 09:03
by Razor
Keep it away from the cricket at Mt Maunganui

Re: General October Weather

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 09:32
by spwill
Yes, hopefully a dry day at Mt Maunganui http://www.takeabreak.co.nz/accommodation/tauranga.asp

General October Weather

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 10:22
by jamie
NZstorm wrote:I would included Auckland in the low thunder risk area. Cloud layers look like being a big issue today.
Metsrvice have in their outlook today.

It's a fine day here in Hamilton. I will be keeping an eye on things from the airport today. Looks a decent setup to me.

Re: General October Weather

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 10:55
by Tornado Tim
The Outlook today for reference:
Metservice wrote: A combination of afternoon sea breeze convergences, daytime cloud buildups and cooling temperatures aloft are expected to produce scattered afternoon and evening showers about many parts of the northern and central North Island today.

In general, there is a low risk of isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms from Northland to northern Taranaki and Taihape, however this risk of thunderstorms is considered closer to moderate about Waikato in the late afternoon and early evening (as indicated on the chart).

If any thunderstorms do develop they will be slow-moving and therefore have the potential to produce localised heavy rain (possibly as high as 20-25mm/hr) and small hail. Small funnel clouds are also a possibility about Waikato.

Tonight, a weak front associated with a low west of the northern North Island will move onto Northland and there is a further low risk of one or two thunderstorms in this area tonight.

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

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 16:37
by David
Very grey and gloomy here, doesn't seem to be any rain around though. Maybe not enough sunshine today to get things going.

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 17:28
by NZstorm
David wrote:Very grey and gloomy here, doesn't seem to be any rain around though. Maybe not enough sunshine today to get things going.
Yes, we needed the spring sunshine. Layered cloud dominated our skies.

Tomorrow is another day and we will still have the polar vortex over the upper North Island.

500mb chart for tomorrow Wednesday midday.

Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 17:42
by jamie
But of a bust really. Looks to have all had a lid put on it at the mid to lower level

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 18:20
by spwill
Looked like an inversion there which helped create the cloudy layer.
Calm overcaste conditions at my place this afternoon.

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 22:13
by Tornado Tim
A pity about the mid level cloud today stopping decent convection.....

Well the Outlook from Metservice looks quite promising tommorow :D

I will probably go out for a drive/chase if the convection is good enough...
Metservice wrote:Valid to: Midnight Wednesday 22 Oct 2014

Issued at: 8:33pm Tuesday 21 Oct 2014

Strong sea breeze convergence and instability associated with relatively cool temperatures aloft are likely to trigger showers over much of the upper North Island in the afternoon.

In the area with the strongest convergence, Waikato, Waitomo and Taumarunui,there is a high risk of thunderstorms in the afternoon. These storms could be accompanied by localised heavy rain up to 25mm/hr (or possibly higher) and hail.

A moderate risk encompasses a larger area including the south of Auckland,inland Bay of Plenty and Taupo as indicated on the map. Those storms could be accompanied by heavy rain, 10 to 25mm/hr and small hail.

A slow moving front is expected to affect the far north. This is likely to bring frequent showers or periods of rain and there is a moderate risk of some thundery falls with heavy rain as indicated on the map.

No other thunderstorms or significant convection expected over New Zealand during this period.

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 22:30
by Tornado Tim
Forecast sounding wise the atmosphere looking much better, with overall cooler upper level temps.

I have attached a forecast sound in central North Waikato tomorrow from BSCH with some re-initializing of the Temp and DP at SFC.
The close temp and DP's in the upper air means there is good potential latent heat give off. Wouldnt surprise me if MU CAPE exceeds 800-1000j/kg accounting for latent release.
Karipiro is looking like a good place for storms, as it usually is. Ricky and Jamie what you up to tomorrow?

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Tue 21/10/2014 22:44
by Manukau heads obs
spotty rain here at the moment

Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 06:02
by jamie
I'm stuck at air port again today then I play sport tonight. So I'm out sorry.

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 06:46
by NZstorm
Its not a big instability/big storm day but there will be surface convergence and cold air at 700mb.
I see the DP in Auckland is 12C so enough moisture for pm heat showers and a chance of thunder Waikato/Auckland.

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 08:41
by Tornado Tim
Moderate Risk of Severe Storms according to Metservice:
Metservice wrote:A combination of sea breeze convergence, daytime cloud buildups and cool temperatures aloft are expected to produce scattered afternoon and evening showers and/or thunderstorms about the northern and central North Island today.

The most likely area for thunderstorms is about southern and western Auckland,Waikato, Waitomo and Taumarunui during the afternoon and early evening, but a low risk covers other northern and central areas from western Northland to the central high country as indicated on the chart.

These thunderstorms will be slow moving and therefore have the potential to produce localised heavy rain with hail. Rainfall rates will most likely be in the 10-20mm range, however a few of the storms could be severe with localised downpours as high as 30mm/hr (particularly in Waikato). Rainfall rates of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding and make driving conditions very hazardous.

Further north, a few thunderstorms associated with a narrow frontal band are also expected in the Far North from afternoon. These thunderstorms should move offshore tonight, but could also produce localised heavy rain and small hail.

No other thunderstorms or significant convection expected over New Zealand today
Had a look at the next lot of forecast soundings, they look even better than last night. Trop at around 350hPa, so convection could get quite tall.

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 09:13
by spwill
Some sunshine arriving here now which is nice after yesterdays gloom

Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 09:37
by jamie
Not sunny here.... yet. Shouldn't be too fat away though.

If there is something decent around 5pm I'll skip sport I think and do a chase.

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 09:41
by Manukau heads obs
looking good here
NE breeze currently and sunshine

I will be in the Pukekohe/Waiuku area this arfternoon :)

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 09:46
by Tornado Tim
jamie wrote:Not sunny here.... yet. Shouldn't be too fat away though.

If there is something decent around 5pm I'll skip sport I think and do a chase.
Very good!
Clearance should be coming in from the west according to the latest sat image:

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 10:36
by Tornado Tim
Severe T-storm Watch issued.
Metservice wrote:Issued by MetService at 08:40 am Wednesday 22 October 2014
Valid until 09:00 pm Wednesday 22 October 2014
This watch affects people in the following weather forecast districts:
Auckland
Waikato
Waitomo
Taumarunui

Daytime cloud buildups are expected to produce scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms about western and southern Auckland (south and west of the CBD), Waikato, Waitomo and Taumarunui this afternoon and early evening.

These thunderstorms will be accompanied by localised heavy rain and hail.

A few of the thunderstorms (particularly in Waikato) may be severe producing localised downpours of 20-30mm/hr.

Rainfall of this intensity can cause flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

Note: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for possible Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.

Issued by: John Crouch

This watch will be updated by: 02:00 pm Wednesday 22 October 2014

Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 11:50
by jamie
Still cloudy. Doesn't look good

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 12:39
by Tornado Tim
jamie wrote:Still cloudy. Doesn't look good
I agree, the Moderate Severe risk is going down the toilet. Wont even be worth a low risk of thundershowers with this going on.

Re: Storm Risk Central Upper North Island - 21st-22nd October

Posted: Wed 22/10/2014 12:50
by Manukau heads obs
its looking good here
sea breeze starting to develop here now
and we have had some good land heating this morning with some good sunshine
(19C here now)
already some good cloud build ups around)