Crazy weather led to hail, thunder and heavy winds, rain and
even a massive water spout across Northland today.
Hail was reported in Kaitaia and Wellsford, where it was so
heavy vehicles had to pull over until the cloud passed a few
minutes later.
Thunder was heard throughout the region, accompanied by
periods of heavy rain, while a massive waterspout made a
spectacular sight as it bore down on the coast at Ocean
Beach.
MetService meteorologist Daniel Corbett said the weather was
caused by an upper level, very slow moving low pressure
system, that had been squeezed between converging winds from
both coasts.
"When you look at it on the (rain) radar it's lighting up
like a Christmas tree,'' Mr Corbett said.
He said the waterspout was an indication of the violence in
the weather system, which had been over the top part of the
country for the past four days and brought a water spout to
Auckland earlier in the week.
Mr Corbett said today's weather was likely to be the weather
pattern's last big hurrah, with showers and possible heavy
downpours tomorrow.
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