Parts of the North Island have turned into winter postcards this weekend, such as this scene from Mamaku near Rotorua. Photo supplied.

Parts of the North Island have turned into winter postcards this weekend, such as this scene from Mamaku near Rotorua. Photo supplied.

Snow and severe gale warnings have now been lifted throughout the country although many major roads, including the Desert Road, remain closed and others only accessible with chains.

Cook Strait ferries have now also resumed normal service after a couple of crossings were cancelled or delayed because of strong winds.

The MetService said this afternoon no further heavy snow falls were expected although temperatures were low and icy conditions likely to persist in some areas.

The respite is a far cry from the type of conditions which beset the country in the previous 24 hours.

Hail stones as big as marbles, sleet, snow, gale-force winds and rain fell in a polar blast yesterday which had the country in an icy grip.

The winter storm closed state highways in the central North Island as police warned motorists to stay off the snow-covered roads, while snow fell to sea-level at a Christchurch beach.

In the coldest spell this year, temperatures in Auckland fell to just 6 degrees at lunchtime, 10 degrees in Wellington, and Dunedin had a high of 4 degrees.

Gale force winds in the Cook Strait led to the cancellation of interisland ferry services this morning.

More than 3000 lightning strikes hit the country but the wild weather is expected to clear in the next two days for much of the North Island.

"The storm is moving away to the east so things will probably clear quite nicely by today," said MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt.

Weather analyst Philip Duncan warned that winter was far from over.

"There is another system expected at the end of the week for the South Island, bringing westerlies and gale-force winds."

McDavitt agreed but expected the coming storm to be slightly warmer.

"I think this is the crux of winter. Mid-July is the coldest period and soon we'll be heading towards the warmth again."

Police warned motorists against all non-essential travel through the central North Island because of hazardous driving conditions. Despite warnings, 12 cars got stuck in snow on the Rimutaka Hill Rd last night.

Even in Auckland, ice on the motorways caused havoc for motorists, prompting police to warn drivers to take care. At least three minor crashes on Auckland's roads were weather related.