Weekend brings huge seas, severe gales, heavy rainPhillipa Yalden / Stuff.co.nz Heavy rain, thunder and lightning hit Hamilton about 10pm Friday. "There's a real combination of severe weather elements that are happening to Northland as the swell comes through. The tornado, rain and gales are all part of a stormy weekend combination. Southwest gales could also become severe in Auckland from Saturday evening through to early Sunday, and could approach severe levels in Clutha, Dunedin and eastern Southland through Sunday. Persistent rain could be heavy about Banks Peninsula and the Port Hills until Saturday evening, and in Dunedin, Clutha and Southland from Sunday afternoon.

Source: Stuff May 20, 2016 19:21 UTC