A severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for central Canterbury as a severe thunderstorm watch remains in place along the South Island’s east coast this afternoon.
“The severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for Canterbury,” the agency said, shortly after 4pm on Sunday. “However, scattered short-lived but intense thunderstorms with heavy rain and hail are still occurring over Canterbury and a severe thunderstorm watch remains in force until 8pm this evening.”
A warning was issued when there was a strong expectation of heavy rain, hail, winds of 110km/h or more or tornadoes. A warning meant there was an expectation of widespread rain, gales with a minimum mean speed of 90km/h or frequent gusts exceeding 110km/h.
MetService earlier said in a statement that its weather radar had detected several thunderstorms near Rakaia and Te Pirita as well as near Mount Somers and Stavely.
One thunderstorm system was expected to move east towards Rakaia while the other was forecast to move southeast towards Ashburton.
“These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain and hail,” MetService said.
“Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
“Hail can cause damage to crops, orchards and vines and may make driving conditions hazardous.”
A severe thunderstorm watch extended from Clutha in the south to Hanmer Springs in the north.
The forecaster said isolated thunderstorms were expected in eastern parts of the South Island until 8pm tonight.
“For inland parts of Canterbury and Otago a few thunderstorms could be severe between 2pm and 8pm today, with localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h.
“Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.”
