Worst of the big wet over for most as weather clears up

Hawke's Bay could be in for some thunderstorms today, while the rest of the country should have clear skies by this afternoon. Photo / Warren Buckland

The worst of the storm is over and the weather is set to improve this morning for most of New Zealand.

MetService meteorologist April Clarke says there will be an "easing trend" across the country today, apart from a few pockets.

In the South Island, the east and west coasts will have showers this morning, which will ease by the afternoon when it will become fine.

In the North Island it will be mainly fine, apart from the east coast where things are set to be wet and windy.

"The southerly that went through the east coast of the South Island yesterday flicks up through Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Gisborne as the low moves off to the east.

"They may get some showers and potentially some thunderstorms and hail patches, but apart from that there should be fine spells for the rest."

Some cloud may linger across the rest of the country but should eventually clear, Clark said.

"It's quite cloudy but those fine spells should definitely be increasing in the afternoon and those showers should be clearing up.

"That low is moving off to the east so things are getting better."

Wild weather wreaked havoc across the country over the weekend.

A 250-tonne buoy broke its mooring and washed up on Ngamotu Beach in New Plymouth after strong winds that left more than 1500 homes without power in Taranaki.

Flights were cancelled in Wellington and part of Vivian St in Wellington was cordoned off because of glass falling from a building. A gust of 140km/h was recorded at Mt Kaukau.

A car was blown off the road on SH2 at the Pakipaki roundabout after gale-force winds hit in Hawke's Bay.

A 160km/h gust was recorded at Mahia Peninsula, while a gust of wind ripped a wedding reception marquee out of the ground and left it in shreds in South Taranaki.