Dunedin experienced a dramatic end to Christmas Day with a sudden onslaught of lightning, hail, and thunder around 6pm. The storm prompted MetService to issue a severe thunderstorm warning for Dunedin and Clutha, urging residents to seek shelter between 6:30pm and 7pm. Meteorologist Alanna Burrows reported that the two regions were hit with approximately 200 lightning strikes, contributing to a total of 600 strikes across the South Island since 1pm.
A brief but intense downpour resulted in Dunedin receiving 7.5mm of rain within just 15 minutes. Despite the storm passing by 7pm, North Otago, Dunedin, and Clutha remained under a severe thunderstorm watch. There was a heightened risk of large hail exceeding 20mm in diameter in Clutha north of Balclutha, Dunedin, and North Otago. This posed a threat to agricultural areas, as well as potentially causing damage to vehicles and posing hazards on the roads.
Stay safe and vigilant as severe weather conditions continue to be monitored in these regions.
