Gale-force winds are hammering the lower South Island this morning as a front moves over the country, bringing a cold change that is likely to dump snow to sea level.

The hail that painted Auckland white may not be over just yet.

The last month of winter could be more like spring, with warmer, windier weather, forecasters say.

Aucklanders should enjoy the warm weather while it lasts, as today is the MetService's pick of the week before a front arrives.

Enjoy the sunshine while it last as a "large trough" of cold weather is set to move over the country, bringing with it rain and gales.

It could be time to peel off some of the winter layers this week as temperatures look set to rise - even topping 20C in some areas.

The Maori Language Commission says that it has approached TVNZ, TV3 and the MetService about using the Maori word for "tomorrow" in future weather broadcasts.

Tonight will be the third cold night without power for thousands of households as more stormy conditions continue to batter the top of the North Island.

Thousands of people are still without power across the north following a severe storm which battered the country over the past two days.

People in the upper North Island will need a jacket and umbrella as wet weather sweeps the country this week.

Auckland motorists travelling on low lying sections of the city's motorway network tonight are being warned to beware of flooding due to a king tide and strong winds.

Thought it was chilly this morning? You weren't wrong. Temperatures plummeted overnight - and this time the North Island got the worst of the winter blast.

Severe rain and wind warnings and a drop in temperatures have been issued for parts of the South Island and lower North Island this weekend.

Waikato, Taranaki and the Kapiti Coast would be "lit up like a Christmas tree'' tonight, with thunderstorms hitting the North Island's west coast, according to MetService.

It could be time to unfurl the brolly and dig out the raincoat from the back of the wardrobe as rain looks set to hit much of the country this weekend.

Downed power lines fell into a nearby paddock in Kaeo, while strong winds caused a tree to topple across a road in Parahaki, north of Whangarei.

Cantabrians blasted by yesterday's destructive tornado are "rolling up sleeves" and doing their own clean-up in classic Kiwi can-do style.

Wild weather, including a tornado, lashed parts of Canterbury yesterday. Firefighters were called to 15 storm-related jobs including leaking roofs, felled trees and lightning-strike fires.

Severe weather and a reported mini-tornado has caused extensive damage to property in North Canterbury tonight.

Summer has returned for most parts of the country, but the lack of rain may be causing concern for some.

Stock up on snarlers and chill the beer - most of the country is in for "barbecue weather" tomorrow, says MetService.

The showers that greeted Big Day Out revellers this morning are set to clear, with most of New Zealand in for a fine weekend.

A boisterous front that hammered Wellington with damaging gales today will push up the country but should weaken overnight.