Thunderstorms and lightning strikes hit parts of Canterbury

Saturday 20 December 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Sat 20 Dec 2025, 9:07pm

In this story MetService

Thunderstorms lashed parts of Canterbury on Saturday, with MetService issuing warnings for the Selwyn, Waimakariri and Ashburton areas. Approximately 300 to 400 lightning strikes were recorded in the region. Some areas near Ashburton experienced up to 25mm of rain during the weather event.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffSat 20 Dec 2025, 8:01pm

   ‘Hosing down’: Canterbury hit by thunderstorm (opens in new tab)

2. RNZSat 20 Dec 2025, 9:07pm

   Hundreds of lightning strikes lash Canterbury (opens in new tab)