A brief but heavy hailstorm pelted Cromwell and some surrounding areas yesterday afternoon.
Otago Polytechnic Central Campus principal lecturer Alex Huffadine said ''heavy'' hail fell for about 16 minutes at the polytechnic's property in Bannockburn Rd.
Before the hail, the temperature had been about 15degC, but it plummeted
to about 4degC. While Mr Huffadine could not speak for orchardists in the area, hail falling at this time of year could cause damage to fruit on trees, particularly apples and apricots.
Cherries on the polytechnic property had been protected by overhead bird netting, but it was likely apples would have some damage.
45 South orchard manager Jim Blanche said the hail was the heaviest he had seen since he came to the area about 14 years ago.
However, he was ''not too worried'' about damage to cherries.
Apricots on the Ripponvale orchard could possibly have received some ''spotting'' from the hail.
Viticulturists from Bannockburn, where hail also fell, said they did not think there was much damage done to vines.
