doddle69 Posted September 17, 2010 Report Share Posted September 17, 2010 this is my car about 30mins ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted September 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2010 Severe thunderstorms were lashing parts of the upper North Island tonight following chaos further south, as a powerful storm moved across the country. The lower South Island shivered under snow, while lightning caused fires, and power outages for thousands of lower North Island residents this afternoon. Meteorologists forecast severe stormy weather across the upper North Island tonight, heading out to sea by midnight. "Some of these thunderstorms are likely to be severe...with the potential for damaging wind gusts of 130kmh. There is also a slight risk of small tornadoes," MetService forecaster Andy Downs said. Trees and power lines were at risk of damage, and driving may become hazardous. "Should severe weather approach, or if you feel threatened, take shelter immediately." The Fire Service was busy with weather-related callouts, generally minor damage such as trees falling across roads. State Highway 1 at Rangiriri in the north Waikato was down to one lane due to fallen tree tonight. Auckland International Airport recorded gusts up to 100kmh, and more remote northern areas had been buffeted by much higher gusts as the rough weather hit the north tonight. Winds had reached hurricane force at Manukau Heads, a farming community west of Auckland Airport, WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan said. Gusts peaked at 154kmh. "The Manukau Heads is a bit of wind tunnel, but hurricane force winds were recorded there for 15 minutes as the squall rolled through around 6.20 this evening," Mr Duncan said. Thunderstorms and squalls would continue tonight. People planning to visit west coast beaches in the Auckland region were advised to check weather warnings before venturing out this weekend. "We're expecting large swells as a result of the MetService severe weather warning, so people need to take care as unpredictable wave surges may come through," said Muriwai Regional Park manager Scott De Silva. The MetService forecast a 6m swell off the North Island's west coast. There were more than 100 lightning strikes in the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa region today, setting fire to a shed and trees. The Fire Service said it extinguished the shed fire in Lower Hutt just after midday. About 3600 residents throughout the Hutt Valley lost power after two lightning strikes hit power substations in both areas, Wellington Electricity Lines spokesman Ryan Auger told NZPA. Power was restored to the last houses about 5.20pm. Downed powerlines were possible given the severe storm warning, Mr Auger said. He advised people to stay away, "always assume that they are live", and call the lines company on 0800 248 148. Severe weather forecaster Paul Mallinson said tornadoes would most likely occur in coastal areas, but inland areas were not immune. Snow was expected in the North Island's central high country overnight. Thunderstorms and snow were also expected to continue in the South Island, with particularly heavy snowfalls south of Mt Cook. A heavy rain warning remained in place for Fiordland, the ranges of Westland south of Otira, and the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago rivers. The weather is expected to improve on Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted September 17, 2010 Report Share Posted September 17, 2010 It was howling before, rain and such too. Calmed down now, just a bit of wind. I don't like this calm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 17, 2010 Report Share Posted September 17, 2010 Missed us. We have had heavy showers but we have been having them almost daily for some time now. It is windy but no more so than usually at this time of year as we head into the nor-westers. :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gagaforfish Posted September 17, 2010 Report Share Posted September 17, 2010 The wind blew over our rabbit hutch in the night and the rabbit bolted. It also broke the lock on our front gate, which blew open... so our rabbit had the perfect escape route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted September 17, 2010 Report Share Posted September 17, 2010 Palmerston North is the wettest place in NZ according to the met service. Sorry to hear about your rabbit gagaforfish. In such conditions it is best to bring any small animals in the house. I advise people to use tent pegs to fasten hutches to the ground. Lots of dogs can topple hutches too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted September 17, 2010 Report Share Posted September 17, 2010 Palmerston North is the wettest place in NZ according to the met service. Sorry to hear about your rabbit gagaforfish. In such conditions it is best to bring any small animals in the house. I advise people to use tent pegs to fasten hutches to the ground. Lots of dogs can topple hutches too. Yep its pretty wet and windy out here Fire sirens going off almost constantly with flooding/car crashes I guess.. Our stupid dogs refuse to come inside in the dry/warm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gagaforfish Posted September 18, 2010 Report Share Posted September 18, 2010 Wow. Our Rabbit came back. I did not expect that. He is back in his hutch, amazingly he looks perfectly happy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted September 18, 2010 Report Share Posted September 18, 2010 Maybe the rabbit knows where the best place to be is! My daughter was up your way at a concert - said there was thunder and lightning but they did not cancel it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcrudd Posted September 18, 2010 Report Share Posted September 18, 2010 Oops I repeated myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcrudd Posted September 18, 2010 Report Share Posted September 18, 2010 We had two power outages, one lasted two hours and the other three hours. There is sticks and leaves everywhere, some of our fruit trees looks so sad, but will still grow, they are not ripped out of the ground completely, Our trampoline flipped right over, the winds were recorded up to 150km, an hour so I just left the trampoline flipped over cause apparently the wind is gonna stick around for a while to come :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted September 18, 2010 Report Share Posted September 18, 2010 Winds still very strong and gusty here and yet we are extremely sheltered at our house. The suns out and we are having the odd squally misty shower. With the thunder last night we had several momentary power outages, I could hear the filters sucking air each time it happened. We are lucky as our power has a generator back up. The rest of the evening was spent hearing chainsaws going. Our area has a large number of very very old established trees so I guess there are not as many today. No motorcycling for us this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddle69 Posted September 18, 2010 Report Share Posted September 18, 2010 lol we have more snow i got more pics to lol is been years since we got snow its about 200mm deep in my driveway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted September 18, 2010 Report Share Posted September 18, 2010 Its absolute madness. The roof of Stadium Southland has collapsed under the weight of the snow along with the roof of Windsor New World. Its highly likely our company will be asked to assess the damage on both buildings. It just keeps getting worse. We're already a man down and other staff members have leaving coming up. Not to mention earthquake claims coming out our ears. What next??? Its snowing in Otautau but not settling. We started heading towards Invercargill this morning, but turned back at Thornbury as the roads were quite heavily covered with snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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