Severe hailstorm forces delays to NZ Cup meet at Christchurch’s Riccarton Park

Some racegoers struggled to stay on their feet in the icy conditions, with one social media user reporting “at least three race day dresses kiss[ed] the dirt/hail”. Photo / Sky Sport

Other racegoers could be seen rushing for cover, with some opting for marquees and others holding chairs above their heads.

Some could be seen making the most of the adverse weather, taking the opportunity to mould snowballs out of the ice and throw them.

Another Herald reporter at the ground said what started as a beautiful day in Christchurch clouded over, then “the skies just opened”.

“I’ve never seen hail like this in my life. It just went on and on, huge hailstones.

“[There’s] a lot of very wet, cold people trying to get inside and under cover, it’s just miserable.”

Racegoers could be seen rushing for cover, with some opting for marquees and others holding chairs above their heads. Photo / Ajay Berry

They said there was a mass exodus of spectators as the races faced delays.

“The people up in the members’ stand look pretty cozy and they’ll probably stay if the races continue … but we’re abandoning because we’ve all got soaking wet feet, we’ve been splashed and it’s freezing.

“There’s a lot of hypothermic-looking people.”

A social media user said the races “got hammered” by the storm.

“Saw at least three race day dresses kiss the dirt/hail,” they said.

Racing was delayed for about 40 minutes before resuming as stewards checked the weather and the track in between races, for safety reasons. Photo / Sky Sport

Hail the size of 50c coins has been reported elsewhere in the Canterbury region after the sudden and severe thunderstorm, destroying glasshouses and covering lawns.

Some residents said cars have been damaged by the falling ice in Timaru.

One central Christchurch resident told the Herald the weather had “gone crazy” and she expressed concern for her skylight as hail pelted the city.

“The hail is no longer there, but it’s still pissing with rain,” the woman said.

MetService lifted a thunderstorm warning for the Christchurch and Selwyn areas at 2.50pm, after lifting its warning for two other South Island spots earlier this afternoon.