More than 18,000 lightning strikes were recorded across the country over the weekend. In addition to lightning, the severe weather could also bring damaging winds, tornadoes, winter storms, snow, and large hail. New Zealand storms are relatively rare and most emanate from tropical cyclones from the Pacific Ocean and across the waters of the Oceania continent. Over the past week, The Canberra Times reported more than 100,000 lightning strikes occurred across New Zealand amid the severe weather. Related Article: Tornado Wreaks Havoc on Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, Met Service Warns of Heavy Snow, Enormous Hail, and Massive Surf

Source: Stuff June 13, 2022 03:34 UTC