Storm lights up Wellington night (+pic)

Rob Suisted/www.naturespic.com

NEVER STRIKES TWICE: Lightning struck Wellington more than 10 times in less than an hour last night.

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Swirling clouds came alive last night when Wellington city was treated to more than 10 lightning strikes in less than an hour.

The booming clouds echoed with thunder, which Metservice said sounded louder than normal because the storm was directly over the city.

The wild weather was thanks to a deep low that has developed east of New Zealand, and a very strong south-to-southwest airstream covering the North Island.

Metservice said the storm was accompanied by some hail in the central city.

MetService warned that the North Island was in for a windy day today with gusts reaching up to 130kmh.

It said there will be strong southwest winds, possibly severe for a time, along the east coast of the North Island from Auckland south, with the eastern hills of Wellington expected to be hardest hit.

The winds will reach Gisborne by mid morning and last throughout the day.

MetService warns the winds could make driving dangerous in some areas, damage trees and powerlines, and lift roofs.

The winds are expected to ease this evening.

- with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News