Wild weather thrashes NZ, 9500 lightning strikes

  • 23/05/2018
Wild weather thrashes NZ, 9500 lightning strikes
Photo credit: Twitter/MetService

The arrival of extreme weather over the last 24 hours has brought with it around 9500 lightning strikes for the west coast of the country. 

Westland received the most strikes with 845, followed by 432 for Buller and 337 for Taranaki. 

The wild weather is set to continue with a southwesterly set to bring strong winds, rain, thunderstorms and snow for the far south.

Thunderstorms were mostly concentrated around the country's western areas.

The capital has taken a belting in the last 24 hours with heavy surface flooding and 132 lightning strikes, one of which struck a plane.

Auckland got off relatively lightly in comparison but had heavy rain around 2am.

On Wednesday morning the cold front was shifting across the country, heading from Northland down towards the East Cape.

MetService said further heavy showers could be expected with gusty winds and potentially some hail today. 

Thunderstorms could continue for the Auckland region through the day.

Meanwhile in the far south temperatures will plummet with more snow set to fall on alpine passes. 

Newshub.