MetService Launches Service

Embargoed until 6pm Friday 26 June 2009

MetService Launches Severe Thunderstorm Warning Service

MetService has today announced a new warning service, commencing 1 July, that will warn people of localised severe weather caused by thunderstorms up to two hours in advance.

“Individual thunderstorms don't affect big areas like lows or fronts – and they only last an hour or two. But the sheer intensity of the rain, wind or hail associated with them can have a big impact. According to the Insurance Council of New Zealand website, insurance claims resulting from the tornadoes in Taranaki in early July 2007 totalled about $8 million, while the cost of a hail storm in Canterbury in November 2008 was about $11 million”, commented Peter Kreft of MetService.

“The Severe Thunderstorm Warning service may provide up to two hours notice of such a weather event”, says Kreft. “Warnings will be available by email and on the MetService website.”

The new service will be invaluable for those managing risk, particularly in the outdoors. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings will provide detailed information on the expected track of the thunderstorm and associated severe weather. Warnings will only be issued once severe thunderstorms have been identified and will be valid for up to two hours.

Weather radar is essential for identifying and tracking thunderstorms. Because of this, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings will only be made available to places within 150 km of a weather radar. To make the service available to more New Zealanders, MetService is installing radars in the Far North, Western Bay of Plenty, Mahia and on the South Island West Coast over the next three years.

All of New Zealand, including areas that are beyond the range of a weather radar, will continue to be covered by the Severe Thunderstorm Outlook and Severe Thunderstorm Watch. Both of these services are available from MetService’s website, and the Severe Thunderstorm Watch is also available by email.

Thunderstorms occur in varying circumstances over different parts of New Zealand. In inland and eastern parts of both islands, they tend to occur most often in the afternoons and evenings of summer and autumn. In the west of both islands, however, they are often associated with vigorous and fast moving cold fronts and can occur at any time of the day and in any season. For more information on how to stay safe in a thunderstorm visit: www.metservice.co.nz

ENDS

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