Severe thunderstorms and hail hit parts of the South Island

Thursday 11 December 2025 · 5 outlets · 6 reports · updated Thu 11 Dec 2025, 4:48pm

In this story MetService

MetService issued severe thunderstorm warnings and watches for Otago, South Canterbury, and parts of Canterbury on Thursday afternoon. The weather brought hail and torrential rain to areas including Dunedin, with potential for flash flooding and localised downpours.

How they headlined it

12:17pm3pm4:23pm

1. Otago Daily TimesThu 11 Dec 2025, 12:17pm

   Thunderstorms, hail on way for parts of South (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsThu 11 Dec 2025, 1:13pm

   'Thunderstorms with hail' expected to strike some areas (opens in new tab)

   • Dunedin pelted with hail as severe thunderstorms bear down (opens in new tab) Thu 11 Dec 2025, 1:13pm
3. StuffThu 11 Dec 2025, 3:00pm

   Severe thunderstorm watch issued, with hail, flooding and a chance of small tornadoes (opens in new tab)

4. NZ HeraldThu 11 Dec 2025, 4:23pm

   Severe thunderstorms and hail hit Otago as MetService issues red warning (opens in new tab)

5. RNZThu 11 Dec 2025, 4:48pm

   Weather: Large hail, torrential rain forecast as thunderstorm warning issued for South Island (opens in new tab)