The MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, and the Canterbury High Country, valid from 1330 hours to 2100 hours (local time) on Friday (23 January).

• Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for inland and northern parts of Canterbury during the afternoon and early evening hours, with potential impacts extending into Christchurch City.
• There is a moderate risk that a limited number of thunderstorms may intensify, producing localised downpours of 25-40 millimetre per hour and large hail exceeding two centimetre in diameter.
• Rainfall of this intensity may lead to surface or flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, streams, rivers, and narrow valleys, and may also trigger localised slips.
• Large hail may pose risk of damage to crops, orchards, glasshouses, and vehicles, and may result in hazardous driving conditions.
• Thunderstorm activity is expected to ease later in the evening, with the situation remaining under monitoring.