Electricity warning after frigid snap; more thunderstorms to come today

Transpower is urging local power generators and lines companies to make more power available for Kiwis after a cold snap hit the country this week.
A Transpower spokesperson said power is projected to be “tight” between 7.00am and 8.30am this morning.
They issued a “customer advice notice” overnight, which was directed at electricity generators, local lines companies and major industrial customers connected directly to the grid “not electricity consumers”.
“The notices call for more electricity generation to be made available and prepare the industry to respond if the situation deteriorates, for instance, if it is colder than forecast or wind generation drops below forecast during the peaks.”
Along with the frigid start to the morning after yesterday’s turbulent weather, more thunderstorms are threatening to strike the country again.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER LIVEBLOG
STORY CONTINUES
MetService said New Zealand is off to a frosty start after cold air moved over the country last night.
The early morning weather forecast predicted that Palmerston North and Nelson might reach 0°C, Rotorua could go as low as -2°C, and Christchurch might drop to -4°C.
Chatham Island will successfully avoid the frost on Wednesday morning! Other regions, not so much…🔥 Stay warm & know that warmer weather is coming soon 📈 pic.twitter.com/Jk4482MaAR
Later this morning, an unstable westerly flow is expected to move on to southern New Zealand, bringing heavy showers and the possibility of small hail.
There’s a low risk of thunderstorms for Fiordland, Stewart Island, and coastal Southland after dawn.
The westerly flow will subsequently cover southern and central New Zealand, increasing the likelihood of heavy showers and small hail in some areas.
There will also be a low risk of thunderstorms for the Westland District, Fiordland, Stewart Island, and coastal Southland during this time.
In the afternoon and evening, the risk of thunderstorms extends to the Grey and Buller Districts, as well as northwest Tasman.
Coastal areas from Manawatū to Waitomo may also experience a low risk of thunderstorms from the evening onwards.
Other regions can expect a mostly dry day without any major weather disturbances.
It comes after “brutal” weather caused thousands of power outages, damage to properties and damage to a plane on Tuesday.
Some 22,000 properties across the Coromandel Peninsula were struck by power outages around lunchtime, with the widespread fault fixed shortly before 2pm.
Passengers on a domestic Jetstar flight from Auckland to Christchurch were evacuated after strong winds blew boarding stairs into the left wing, causing “minor damage”.
A Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) spokesman said they had been called to 11 weather-related callouts in Auckland between 11am and 6.30pm on Tuesday.
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds called the weather “brutal” following the dumping of snow in her region and said several primary schools and highways had been forced to close.

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.