A West Coast weather radar is expected to be out of action for an “extended period” after a massive lightning strike last week caused extensive damage to the site.
The radar tower, located north of the Hokitika River, went offline around 1pm on Thursday.
A bolt carrying 156,000 amps – around five times the strength of a typical lightning strike – hit the area.
The force destroyed the radome, the weatherproof cover protecting the radar, and overwhelmed the site’s robust grounding systems.
MetService meteorologist Katie Hillyer told 1News last week the radar stopped transmitting shortly after the strike, which occurred during “very active” weather in the area.
“Our radar towers are often the tallest object around, which is just what we need to get a great view of the weather, but it leaves them exposed to lightning strikes,” she said.
An initial assessment by MetService’s technical team found “significant damage” to the radar, with repairs expected to be complex.
“Moisture in nearby structures likely vaporised instantly, leading to explosive damage,” MetService said, adding that electronics were fried and the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.
Meteorologists would continue to monitor weather using satellite imagery, neighbouring radar sites, weather stations, and high-resolution computer models, the forecaster said in a statement.
“We know how important this radar is to the West Coast and surrounding communities, and we’re committed to restoring it as soon as we can.”
Hillyer said the strike was a good reminder of what people should do in a thunderstorm.
“Don’t end up like our radar, if you hear thunder, head indoors.”
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