Most severe weather warnings have waned, but there is still a risk of thunderstorms

In just two hours, more than 1,400 lightning strikes were recorded when storms struck parts of the lower South Island on Monday.

The Tasman Sea, moving from the south, devastated parts of the lower South Island around the glacier areas, as it brought heavy rain and strong northwest winds with it.

About 75 millimeters of rain were recorded on Milford Sound, while Puysegur Point in Fiordland National Park recorded wind gusts of up to 150 km / h, said Tuporo Marsters, MetService forecaster.

MetService meteorologist Tom Adams previously said Monday morning 198 lightning strikes were recorded in three hours in some parts of the Lower South Island.

As the thunderstorms escalated, MetService recorded up to 1,408 strikes in just two hours on Monday afternoon.

Severe weather warnings and clocks covered most of the South Island on Monday, but most would wear off overnight through Tuesday, with some expected to last through Wednesday.

However, there is a risk of thunderstorms on Tuesday.

Adams said the heavy rain and winds were separate from the thunderstorms even though they moved close together. Thunderstorms could increase local precipitation, but strong gusts of around 110 km / h were still likely.

An unstable west to northwest wind would hit central and southern parts of New Zealand on Tuesday afternoon, with thunderstorms likely in many western and southern areas.

MetService issued a Tuesday warning of moderate risk in areas from Farewell Spit to Milford Sound, as well as on the coast of Southland and Stewart Island.

Short periods of heavy rain, hail and snow up to 500 meters in the south and 900 meters in the north were predicted.

In the interior of Southland, East Otago and South Canterbury, there was also a moderate risk of isolated thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon and evening. Short heavy rain, snow and hail can be expected up to 700m.

Buller, Nelson west of Motueka and the Nelson Lakes were under a heavy rain warning. Approximately 110 to 140 mm of rain was predicted for the areas, while 90 to 110 mm was predicted near the coast.

Later that evening there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms in the Marlborough Sounds.

Westland was also under a heavy rain warning until early Wednesday morning. Up to 220 mm of rain was forecast in the areas and 100 to 130 mm closer to the coast. The heavy rain can also be accompanied by thunderstorms.

The north of Otira was under heavy rain until early Wednesday morning.

All high wind warnings would end overnight, although a warning in Wellington, Wairarapa and Marlborough would last until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, with northwest gusts reaching up to 130 km / h.

For areas on the western North Island from Kawhia to Wellington and further north in Taranaki and on the coast of Waitomo, thunderstorms have also been predicted.

The Chatham Islands received a high wind clock from 6 p.m. Tuesday through 2 a.m. Wednesday morning.

For the Alpine passes, including Haast Pass, Crown Range Rd, Lindis Pass and Milford Rd, the snowfall warnings remained through Tuesday afternoon and evening, while the warnings for Arthur’s Pass and Lewis Pass remained through Wednesday morning.