Hail possible in Northland today

Hail, like this that coated a deck in Whatuwhiwhi, in the Far North, last August, could hit Northland today or tomorrow.

Foul winter weather sweeping up the country shouldn't cause much panic in Northland, but there is the possibility of hail in the region today and tomorrow, MetService says.

Snow and ice yesterday closed roads across the South Island and MetService has issued warnings for a "severe winter storm" for the southern and central country, with more heavy snow expected to hit inland Canterbury and the central North Island's inland high country from midday today.

MetService meteorologist Thomas Adams said while the predicted foul weather will cause problems elsewhere, "there's no need to panic in Northland".

Up to 30cm of snow could fall on the Lewis, Arthur's, Porters and Lindis Passes today and tomorrow, but Mr Adams said Northland would be far warmer, though there was a chance of hail and thunder.

"There's likely to be thunder [overnight last night], and [today] there's a possibility of hail in Northland. There was hail [yesterday] in Auckland and there's a chance that will spread north," he said.

"There will be showers, some of them heavy, [today] and into Friday before things clear up for Saturday. The wind will be severe at times, before easing up for the weekend."

Mr Adams said daily highs in Northland between now and the weekend will be around 13C to 14C while overnight lows would get down as low as 4C, making hail a possibility.

"That wind won't make you feel that you are warmer, but it's certainly a lot warmer than the rest of the country."