Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Selwyn, Ashburton, Hurunui, Waimakariri and Christchurch City. Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy
Parts of Canterbury were lashed by heavy rain and hail as thunderstorms rolled over the region.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Selwyn, Waimakariri and Christchurch City on Friday afternoon and were later lifed about 5.30pm.
MetService said thunderstorms were set to bring torrential rain and large hail to those areas.
Large hail stones fell on cars driving on State Highway 1 between Belfast and Woodend.
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell, who lives in Pegasus, said the hail storm in her area lasted about five minutes, and was very noisy.
"We have a metal roof and, yes, I can attest they bounce quite well," she said.
"Normally, if we get hail, it's quite small, but these are rather large and taking a while to disappear. I think we're very lucky, I think probably looking at the sky most of it went out to sea."
Large hailstones seen in Kaiapoi in the Waimakariri District on Friday afternoon. Photo: RNZ / Anan Zaki
MetService meteorologist John Law encouraged people to keep an eye on the forecast.
"These systems are moving through really quickly so it's looking like the system should hopefully be away out over Pegasus Bay by the time we head through to about 5.30pm, but there is that chance that warning may be pushed out a little bit longer as it runs just to the north of Christchurch," he said.
"As always if you can hear thunder, the best place to be is inside."
MetService warned very heavy rain could cause surface and flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions hazardous.
It said large hail could cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles.