Boxing Day weather: severe thunderstorms throw hail and cause flash flooding

Summer storms dumped heavy hail and torrential rains caused flash flooding this afternoon in the upper South Island.

The severe storm hit parts of the Tasman district just before 4 p.m., and campers at Abel Tasman National Park and the Kaiteriteri vacation hotspot in line for a direct hit.

Motueka was swept away by heavy hail, and a Motueka Valley resident said the houses had lost power when the powerful storm hit the region.

“There will be enormous damage to any orchard in its path.”

Kate Gaskell posted photos of the golden sands of Tata Beach in Golden Bay that turned white as the summer vacation destination was transformed into a winter wonderland.

Video footage showed melted hail flooding the streets of Motueka after the storm advanced.

The MetService issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the Tasmania district.

Thunderstorms were detected at 3:45 p.m. near Motueka, Ngatimoti, Riwaka and Lower Moutere.

At 4.15 p.m. M., Severe weather was detected near Abel Tasman National Park, Tasman Bay and the Kaiteriteri resort.

They were moving north-northwest and were expected to be near Abel Tasman National Park, Motueka, Totaranui and Tasman Bay at 5.15 pm.

“These storms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rains and heavy hail.

“Very heavy rains can cause surface and / or flash flooding in streams, ravines and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely dangerous.

“Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, grapevines, greenhouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions dangerous.”

The severe storm warning was eventually lifted, but the storm watch remains in place for the western Tasman Bay and Golden Bay areas until 7 p.m.

Unusually cold temperatures can be expected in many parts of New Zealand this weekend as the southerly winds bring rain.

Temperatures are expected to plummet for many.

Ashburton’s high for today is expected to reach 13C – 8C below average for this time of year.

And it will be a winter wonderland for the South Island, as snow is forecast to fall at 1,000 meters.

A low weather system over north Canterbury this morning is expected to deepen, spreading rain and strong southerly winds over the coastal parts of the region.

The heaviest rains are expected on the Banks Peninsula. MetService has issued a weather alert for the area, which could reach a warning level.

Generally, the climate in the South Island is the opposite of that of the North Island, with a rainy climate in the south and good conditions in the north.

However, Northland and Auckland can look forward to a few morning showers before kicking off into mostly good weather.

The Coromandel Peninsula to Manawatū, including the Bay of Plenty and the Central Highlands, is mostly fine, but there will be some rains in the west.

Conditions are good initially before afternoon or evening rains with possible thunderstorms in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.

There are good times and some rain for Horowhenua, Kapiti, Wellington and Wairarapa. Thunderstorms are possible this morning in Wellington and Kapiti.

Marlborough, Nelson and Buller will have rain and good times. The rains will be more frequent and more intense starting this afternoon.

Westland is well before heavy rains appear inland from the afternoon.

Periods of rain will be heavy at times and thunderstorms may be in the Canterbury Highlands this afternoon.

Otago, Southland and Fiordland can expect scattered showers this morning before they subside in the afternoon.

On Sunday, there will be scattered showers or showers developing for the majority on the North Island, with cold southerly winds in the south and east.

On the South Island, conditions are partly cloudy or good for most.

Canterbury to Marlborough can expect rain and cold southerly winds. Nelson and Buller will shower in the afternoon.