Winter is coming with lightning, hail, snow, and heavy rain lashing parts of New Zealand. At 11am on Tuesday the lightning was centred off the coast near Taranaki and the South Island West Coast, MetService meteorologist Andy Best said. There had been 140 lightning strikes recorded over New Zealand in the two hours to 10.45am. Much of the lower North Island, including Wellington, had a moderate risk of thunderstorms through Tuesday afternoon and evening, as well as a chance of heavy rain. There was also a good chance of hail and thunder for the lower North Island overnight on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Source: Stuff May 04, 2020 23:15 UTC