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.
