A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Auckland, with WeatherWatch chief analyst Philip Duncan saying the storms are likely to be “as big as we get”.
Power lines are down and several flights out of Auckland Airport were grounded for a brief period as a cautionary measure after lightning warnings.
The thunderstorms are predicted to affect Auckland’s western suburbs and its CBD, and are part of the same weather system that caused Wednesday’s waterspout.
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Mr Duncan says the storms will peak between 3pm and 11pm today, and the current weather “is only going to get worse before it gets better”.
Thunderstorms pose a risk of very heavy rain and flash flooding, and Mr Duncan advises people to “remain vigilant” about the weather in their area.
“If you have thunder directly over you… indoors is the safest place you can be.”
Those in the central city shouldn’t be concerned by lightning – the CBD’s buildings, including the Sky Tower, have lightning rods built in.
Airlines may have to use alternate flight paths to avoid the heavy thunderclouds, which could cause delays.
The good news is that once these storms pass the current weather system should finish – meaning New Zealand could finally get a decent sunny spell.
“We’ll see this system gradually crossing the west of the North Island and then it should start to improve,” Mr Duncan says.
“Even though summertime's pretty much run out now, we will see some of the hottest weather coming up in the next week or so.”
And while some people will be huddled up on the couch with the curtains drawn, Mr Duncan – who is currently travelling out of Auckland – says for others, the storm could be the highlight of their day.
“Just as many people who are scared of [thunderstorms], there's even more that are enjoying it… I’m gutted I’m missing out.”
3 News