Saturday, 18 February 2012

New Zealand in path of gigantic storm ( 17 February 2012)

Image: Weather Watch warns that the storm system - which may bring tornadoes - will last for at least a couple of days. - TVNZ

New Zealand is in the path of one of the biggest storms on the planet which is due to hit today.

Strong gales are forecast in many North Island areas and heavy snow in the south.

Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan last night warned that the weather system - which has cut power in Tasmania and battered the island state - would last for at least a couple of days.

"A lot of people thought Thursday was nothing," he said. "But it hasn't even hit yet. It's just going to get gradually worse, it's just kicking in.

"There's going to be a lot of strong winds, lumpy shower clouds, heavy rain and hail and possibly even tornadoes."

The tornadoes were most likely to strike the Taranaki and in Whangarei areas.

The MetService has issued severe weather warnings for the whole country as the storm - which is the size of Australia - passes over.

- New Zealand Herald

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