Gales lash central NZ and snow on mountain passes - but sunshine on way

The North Island is poised to enjoy one of its nicest weeks in ages but not before a stinging southerly blast lashes central regions and brings snow to alpine passes.

A weather watch has been issued for the lower half of the North Island and coastal eastern regions of the South Island as gales are set to roar unrelentingly for the next 24 hours.

Severe Weather Watch 4 severe gale southerlies over the lower North Is. & Kaikoura Coast on Sun, & Mon AM. More: https://t.co/kZMYBlt4H8 ^CF pic.twitter.com/rrTzQE7zF8

— MetService (@MetService) August 19, 2017

A storm warning is place for Cook Strait as winds of more than 90 km/h are expected to barrel through. They are not expected to die down until later tomorrow.

There are also road snowfall warnings in place for both islands with snow showers expected to fall on the summits of the Desert Rd and Porters Pass overnight.

Up to 1cm of snow is expected to settle on the summit between 1am and 9am.

Road Snowfall Warning issued for Desert Rd, Porters Pass https://t.co/mz7cUjg9y2

— Severe Weather Info (@MetServiceWARN) August 19, 2017

MetService forecaster Tom Adams said the tempestuous weather was hitting the centre of the country today and tomorrow with rain affecting most regions.

However by Tuesday this would be replaced with clear skies and warm, dry days.

"The first half of the next week will be the nicest weather we have had in the North Island in a number of weeks," said Adams.

The sun is coming! Next week a ridge lingers over NZ, bringing some much better sunshine totals. ^TA pic.twitter.com/6YUc4y2XMM

— MetService (@MetService) August 20, 2017

But the price of the fine days was chilly nights with temperatures around the centre and lower half of the island expected to plunge down to zero or even sub-zero overnight on Tuesday.

"As we go into next week Tuesday night is looking like it will be the coldest for the North Island."

Adams said the unusual fine spell would be broken when rain returned to the north next weekend.

And while the north basked in warmer, fine weather, the reprieve for the South Island was far briefer with rain forecast for the southern regions on Wednesday.