MetService says there were 756 lightning strikes recorded over 12 hours during a "wet and wild night in the west and south of the South Island".
The forecaster said yesterday that thunderstorms were observed over central western parts of the island, with more expected for the South Island into the afternoon and evening.
In a post to social media shortly before 8.30am, it said 756 lightning strikes were recorded over the last 12 hours and wind gusts of 100 km/h recorded in Invercargill.
It added an image of a map showing where the strongest lightning strikes had been recorded across the South Island.
"Things will ease as we head through the afternoon, but watch out for a sneaky shower in Northern Canterbury and Banks Peninsula," MetService added.
"The North Island has been much calmer with no lightning strikes, however there are still some heavy showers around so keep an eye on the radar."
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats said it was "another day of unsettled westerlies with plenty of showers and plenty of wind too".
"We do have a strong wind watch for the deep south through until this afternoon. And the Crown Range and Milford Roads are under a road snowfall warning until midday."
She said it would be a "windy day for the lower South" with squally thunderstorms also expected for Southland, which had a high of "only 13C".
A strong wind watch remained in effect until 2pm today for coastal areas of Southland and Otago south of Oamaru, and Stewart Island.
An orange road snowfall warning was also in place for Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd (SH94) until midday.
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