A violent and seemingly neverending thunderstorm rattled much of Canterbury yesterday causing damage, damaging expensive weather equipment and creating a surge in viewers to the Lightning Tracker.

At its peak over 1000 lightning strikes per hour were being detected over Canterbury.

Photographers across the region chased the storms and WeatherWatch.co.nz brings you just some of their images below.

Top two images – Lawrence Allen

Above three images – Aaron J Wilkinson
 

Steven Graham 

Thunderstorms rolling in – Image / Weather Analyst Richard Green

Above two images – Thunderstorm which struck New Brighton area 4.50pm, produced 10 mm rain in less than 30 min, causing some surface flooding…further peal of thunder again at 5.40pm…no hail reported here.  Images / David Shone