Hail at Dunedin Airport. Photo: Supplied
MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Timaru and Waimate on Thursday night.
Thunderstorms are 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 are moving quickly towards the east, and 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.
Pictures from Dunedin Airport showed the tarmac was blanketed in hail.
Hail at Dunedin Airport. Photo: Supplied
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) are responding 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 storm watch is also in place for the Canterbury Plains, Canterbury High Country, North Otago, and Clutha until 10pm on Thursday. As well as up north for, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
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— MetService NZ (@MetService) December 11, 2025
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for inland parts of the Bay of Plenty, down to Taupo and the neighboring ranges.
Worth keeping an eye on the radar this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/GZ9QWbRkOc
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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