Predictions of heavy rain with hail, accompanied by thunder and lightning, proved correct from about 2pm in Oamaru yesterday.
It started with gradually increasing heavy rain, followed by a brief break before a thunderstorm hit and 6mm to 8mm of rain fell in about 20 minutes.
During the heavy falls yesterday afternoon, there were no reports of major flooding.
Matsinger's Berry Farm, at Peebles, escaped the worst of the storm and only had minor rain damage, which was good news with Christmas demand approaching for strawberry and raspberry crops.
Market gardens at Totara also escaped major damage, as did the cherries at Totara Lowlands, where there were few marks on fruit, despite hail lying in the cherry house.
In some areas where hail had fallen, it was soft and slushy, rather than hard, and damage was reduced.
