Why is severe thunderstorm warning trending in NZ?
Severe thunderstorms are trending in NZ due to recent weather events in Canterbury, including tornadoes, hail, and lightning strikes.
What happened
- 27 Oct, 16:30 UTC
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Christchurch and Selwyn [2]
- 27 Oct, 15:00 UTC
Farmer Tommy Glanville filmed a tornado near Rakaia [1]
- 27 Oct, 14:30 UTC
Metservice warned of large hail and damaging thunderstorms in Canterbury [1]
What you need to know
Severe thunderstorms can cause tornadoes, hail, and lightning strikes.
Large hail can damage crops, orchards, and vehicles.
People are advised to take shelter indoors and avoid trees and water during storms.
The exact cause of the tornadoes is not confirmed yet.
Background
Severe thunderstorms hit parts of Canterbury, including Christchurch and Selwyn, on October 27, 2026. The storms caused tornadoes, hail, and lightning strikes, leading to damage and emergency responses. Farmer Tommy Glanville filmed a tornado near Rakaia, and other videos and photos showed the intense weather conditions. Metservice warned of large hail and damaging thunderstorms, and the National Emergency Management Agency advised people to take shelter and be cautious during and after the storms.
Questions people ask
What was the size of the hail?
Metservice warned of large hail, up to or larger than 20mm in diameter.
What advice was given during the storms?
People were advised to take shelter indoors, avoid trees, and be cautious of fallen power lines and trees, and avoid streams and drains.
What was the impact of the storms?
The storms caused tornadoes, hail damage, and lightning strikes, leading to emergency responses and a diverted international flight.
Where this came from
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.