Hail at Dunedin Airport. Photo: Supplied
A severe thunderstorm warning that MetService issued for Timaru and Waimate on earlier on Thursday night has now been lifted.
MetService said the risk of thunderstorms in the region would continue to ease on Thursday night.
Earlier, thunderstorms were forecast to bring torrential rain and large hail to the South Island, with a severe thunderstorm watch also issued for Central Otago and Dunedin.
The forecasting agency said the thunderstorms could be accompanied by torrential rain and large hail.
It warned torrential rain could cause surface or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
"Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous," it said.
Earlier pictures from Dunedin Airport showed the tarmac was blanketed in hail.
Hail at Dunedin Airport. Photo: Supplied
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) earlier responded to flooding at two shops in Timaru.
Two fire trucks were sent to The Front Runner and Noodle Canteen on Stafford Street at about 8.30pm.
FENZ said no one was inside the buildings.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Canterbury High Country until midnight.
Fire and Emergency said it had not received any reports of damage from the storm.
It comes after much of the country experienced sweltering heat over the weekend, with temperatures in the high 20s or even early 30s.
MetService said on Thursday there was a reprieve from the heat on the way, with temperatures across the country heading back down towards normal.
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