Thunder, heavy rain and hail hit the Bay of Plenty as a thunderstorm moved across the region on Tuesday.

Residents pulled out their phones and recorded the event, which hit the region around 4pm, after a seemingly fine day.

One SunLive reader said she witnessed hail, thunder and lightning at Paengaroa Village.

Other residents took to social saying it looked like snow.

An Ohauiti resident said a black cloud lingered over her house when she got home around 3.30pm.

“Moments later, it just bucketed down. My cats ran inside in disgust that they got wet.

“Then the thunder hit. It was the first time our kitten had heard thunder. She buried her head in my arms.”

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