A severe thunderstorm was expected to bring torrential rain and large hail in parts of the Marlborough region this evening.
MetService first warned of the thunderstorm in the Awatere Valley, just south of Blenheim at about 7.45pm
The agency also expected it to move north, near Waihopai at about 8.15pm, adjacent to Wairau Valley and the Richmond Range.
MetService said the torrential rain could result in surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions “extremely hazardous”.
“Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous.”
The warning for Awatere Valley was in place from 8.07pm to 8.45pm this evening, and was due to be updated or lifted soon after.
During the warning period, one person on social media commented they could hear loud, rolling thunder in Richmond/Hope.
Other areas under weather watches
MetService has also issued a number of other weather watches around the country for Monday.
In Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula, MetService placed a heavy rain watch from 9am to 8pm this evening.
It forecast periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible.
A heavy rain watch was also in place in the Wairoa District from 1am Tuesday, December 17, through to 1am on Wednesday, December 18.
In the Wairoa District, MetService forecast periods of heavy rain.
“[Rain] amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.”
In the Kaikoura Coast, Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and coastal Wairarapa, MetService placed a strong wind watch from 5pm Monday to 3am Tuesday, December 17.
“A southerly change spreads north through the region this afternoon and evening and gusts may approach warning criteria [and a] moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.”
What to do in a severe storm
The National Emergency Management Agency advised that, as storms approached:
- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside
- Get back to land, if outdoors on the water
- 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, also:
- Beware of fallen trees and power lines
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.
