Thunderstorms hit Canterbury on Monday afternoon, bringing hail stones up to 3cm in diameter and hundreds of lightning strikes.
Metservice has been tracking two severe thunderstorms, one that formed near Temuka before moving over Hororata to the northeast of Christchurch, and the other northwest of Rangiora.
Severe weather forecaster John Crouch says the storm, which began near Temuka, brought large hailstones over 2cm in diameter.
"It can do damage to crops it can break glass in glasshouses and puncture plastic roofing. It also puts significant dents in cars as well, so it can have quite an impact."
Mr Crouch says there have also been over 1300 lightning strikes across Canterbury.
