A large waterspout formed about 1 km off the coast of Muriwai Beach this morning amid unstable weather sweeping the region.
Spectacular Storm Clouds Over West Auckland
Residents and staff at the local golf course captured footage of a funnel-shaped column of water rising from the sea near Ōaia Island at about 7:10 am. One witness estimated the spout reached about 400 m in height with a base roughly 100 m wide.
MetService meteorologists report that strong updrafts formed the waterspout under moist, unstable conditions, accompanied by heavy downpours and a risk of hail.
Stormy Conditions Continue Across Auckland
The event comes as a broader storm system sweeps the Auckland region. MetService warned of heavy rains, possible hail, and hazardous driving conditions, especially on coastal routes.
Local managers at Muriwai Golf Links said the spout moved toward the beach and noted that, although it appeared visually striking, established emergency procedures meant no golfers were at risk at the time.
What It Means for Local Residents and Visitors
Beach-goers, surfers, and coastal commuters in West Auckland should exercise extra caution due to the combination of a waterspout and storm conditions.
- Avoid standing too close to exposed coastline during unstable weather.
- Stay off the water when funnels or strong rotating clouds appear.
- Monitor MetService updates for storm watches in the region.
Stay Updated and Safe
Keep an eye on the latest weather alerts from MetService, especially if you’re planning time on or near the coast. For live updates and commentary on Auckland’s storm developments, visit Find NZ and follow our weather stream.
