A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for several South Island areas this afternoon, after Timaru was earlier battered by large hail.
MetService said its radar detected severe thunderstorms near Darfield, Oxford, Kirwee, Charing Cross and Greendale at 1.45pm, and issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 2.45pm today.
It said the thunderstorms were tracking east-northeast and expected near Rolleston, Cust, West Melton, McLeans Island, Eyrewell Forest and West Eyreton, Christchurch, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Templeton, Belfast, Christchurch Airport and Eyreton.
The forecaster said the thunderstorms were "expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and large hail".
"Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous," the forecaster warned.
Large hail could also cause "significant damage" to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous.
MetService forecaster Gerard Bellan told 1News there had already been thunderstorms in Timaru today, which led to "some large hail" in that area.
"Basically Canterbury up as far as about Christchurch we have got a moderate risk of thunderstorms there. So that would be rain of 10 to 25mm/h and that large hail of 10cm to 20cm in diameter."
"These systems are sort of tracking up the coast, sort of towards the north-east or in the south-west direction. There are some quite big shower clouds showing up on our radar to the west of Christchurch," he added.
"So there is a risk there in Christchurch, some thunderstorms and hail there as well.
He urged people to drive to the conditions.
"People need to drive the conditions and it can be extremely hazardous driving with a low visibility in the air.
Bellan said there was some "good news", as the storm was expected to clear away into the evening.
- Additional reporting by Bronte Chapman
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