Cale Wood inspects his shed where debris was tossed around in Auckland, New Zealand, following a tornado Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/New Zealand Herald, Dean Purcell)
A destructive tornado tore through New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland, on Thursday.
At least three people were killed and another seven were injured, the New Zealand Herald website reported.
Another tornado struck Hamurana, near Rotorua.
"New Zealand is smack in the middle of the mid-latitudes, so the weather is dynamic and active year-round," AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews said. "Weather systems are constantly shifting through."
The clash of warm and cold air masses, which is key in igniting severe weather, occurs frequently in New Zealand. Another important ingredient for severe weather is moisture, and moist air is readily available since New Zealand is an island chain.
While about 20 to 30 tornadoes touch down each year in New Zealand, tornado fatalities are rare, the Herald said.
A May 3, 2011, tornado killed one person in the Auckland suburb of Albany. There was also a tornado west of Auckland in September 2011.
Cale Wood inspects his shed where debris was tossed around in Auckland, New Zealand, following a tornado Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/New Zealand Herald, Dean Purcell)
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