Update at 9.22pm Weather warning and watch lifted. No severe weather warnings
Update valid to 9.22pm
Warning lifted. Weather watch remains in force in the Waikato.
Update valid to 8.30pm:
Issued by MetService at 07:47 pm Thursday 28 January 2010.
Valid until 08:30 pm Thursday 28 January 2010.
This warning affects people in the following local government areas:
WAIKATO and WAIPA.
At 07:30 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near HAMILTON, WHATAWHATA, RAGLAN, PIRONGIA MOUNTAIN and WATETUNA.
These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the northwest, and are expected to lie near RAGLAN, WAINGARO, WATETUNA and TE MATA at 08:00 pm and near TE AKAU, WAINGARO, GLEN AFTON, RAGLAN and TE MATA at 08:30 pm.
These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for BAY OF PLENTY, HAWKES BAY, KAPITI-HOROWHENUA, MANAWATU, ROTORUA, TAIHAPE, TARANAKI, TARARUA, TAUMARUNUI, TAUPO, WAIKATO, WAITOMO and WANGANUI.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Issued by MetService at 07:16 pm Thursday 28 January 2010.
Valid until 08:00 pm Thursday 28 January 2010.
This warning affects people in the following local government areas:
WAIKATO, HAMILTON, WAIPA and OTOROHANGA.
At 07:00 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near HAMILTON, TE AWAMUTU, OHAUPO, PIRONGIA MOUNTAIN, PATERANGI and NGAHINAPOURI.
These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the westnorthwest, and are expected to lie near HAMILTON, WHATAWHATA, PIRONGIA MOUNTAIN, NGAHINAPOURI, WATETUNA, TEMPLE VIEW and RAGLAN at 07:30 pm and near RAGLAN, WAINGARO, WATETUNA and TE MATA at 08:00 pm.
These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.
Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in force for BAY OF PLENTY, HAWKES BAY, KAPITI-HOROWHENUA, MANAWATU, ROTORUA, TAIHAPE, TARANAKI, TARARUA, TAUMARUNUI, TAUPO, WAIKATO, WAITOMO and WANGANUI.
The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management advises that as storms approach you should:
– Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
– Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
– Move cars under cover or away from trees;
– Secure any loose objects around your property;
– Check that drains and gutters are clear;
– Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.
During and after the storm, you should also:
– Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
– Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.
This warning is due to be updated or lifted by 08:00 pm Thursday 28 January 2010.
NOTE: Only severe thunderstorm tracks are shown in the graphic. Other thunderstorms may exist in the area.
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: This warning will be updated within the next hour or so. MetService would appreciate it being broadcast regularly during this period.