A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for parts of southern Canterbury, Metservice says.
Photo: Twitter / @MetService
Metservice recorded thunderstorms near Carew, Peel Forest and Arundel this afternoon and said they were expected to bring very heavy rain, large hail and possible tornadoes.
It announced a severe thunderstorm warning for the Ashburton and Timaru local government areas, and a severe thunderstorm watch for Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains.
The Ministry of Civil Defence advised people to take precautions as the storms approach, including taking shelter indoors, away from windows.
People should secure any loose objects on their properties and chuck that drains and gutters were clear.
Drivers should be ready to slow down and even stop as the thunderstorms arrived, it said.
Once the storms had passed, people should beware of fallen trees and power lines, and avoid streams and drains.
Parts of Nelson received up to 150 millimetres of rain in 12 hours yesterday.