Parts of Christchurch and Canterbury were in the firing line of a thunderstorm late this afternoon as it rolled along the Canterbury Plains. Kirwee and West Melton experienced most of it with long rumbles of thunder heard and some heavy falls of rain.

The day started out quite sunny but cloud thickened with some patchy rain in the west which then cleared for a short time, before a thunderstorm developed.Heavy downpours were associated with the storm but were generally shortlived.

Further heavy showers are possible this evening but a dry Monday is expected across much of the red and black province.