• - Auckland is tipped to see heavy rain, thunderstorms and possibly “damaging” tornadoes during tonight’s peak-hour traffic.
• - A polar vortex coming behind the wild weather systems will see temperatures drop “well below average” across the country.
• - Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and the lower South Island will also see thunderstorms this afternoon.
• - A heavy snow watch is also in place for the central North Island and the lower South Island and road snowfall warnings, including the Remutaka Hills.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms and possibly “damaging” tornadoes are in store for Auckland commuters during tonight’s rush hour.

Forecasters say temperatures will dip “well below average” for September, with some areas waking up to lows below zero because of a “polar vortex”.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said there was a “small chance” of small tornadoes in many areas of the country.

“I think the possibility [of tornadoes] happens more than people realise,” she said.

Makgabutlane said there was a high possibility of “intense rainfall” too for Auckland, Northland and the Coromandel.

For Auckland, she said the wild weather would begin mid-afternoon and be at its peak from 6pm-7pm.

Makgabutlane said it would have moved away overnight, but a new weather system would take its place tomorrow, bringing more rain.

“We do have another weather system that moves through sort of in the middle of the day, so brief respite and then another weather system moving through tomorrow.”

MetService also reported tornadoes were possible in the Bay of Plenty and northern regions of Gisborne in the afternoon.

Another front is due to move over the northeast of the lower South Island in the afternoon and evening. MetService is reporting a “low” risk of thunderstorms for Fiordland, southern areas of Westland and coastal areas including Stewart Island.

Temperatures ‘well below average’

Makgabutlane said behind the wild weather systems was an influx of colder air from a tropospheric polar vortex.

She said temperatures in Auckland would hit a max of only 14C; however, due to another cold wind hailing from the south, it would feel “much colder than that” through to Wednesday.

Makgabutlane said the lower South Island was in store for some frosty days, with temperatures rising to only single digits.

Alexandra, Wānaka and Queenstown usually see an average high of 15C at this time of year but will get a high of only 7C over the next three days.

“Heading into the morning, these areas will be starting in the minuses, which is well below average for this time of year.”

The wintry temperatures would also bring snow to low levels in the South Island and central North Island.

A heavy snow watch is in place in Taihape from 8am tomorrow and for Fiordland, Southland, southern Otago and Stewart Island from 5pm this afternoon.

Road snowfall warnings on major highways are in place in both the North and South Islands.

This includes Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Rd, Milford Rd (SH94) and Dunedin to Waitati Highway (SH1) from this afternoon and evening.

For the North Island, road snowfall warnings for Napier-Taupo Road (SH5), Desert Road (SH1) and Remutaka Hill Road (SH2) are expected to come into force tomorrow from midday.

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.

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