Small Pacific island states could be hit by more tropical cyclones during future El Nino weather patterns due to climate change, Australian scientists say.

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Power is expected to be restored before nightfall for Gisborne residents, the electricity company says.

Don't make too many plans for that Christmas Day barbie as stormy weather could put a dampener on outdoor celebrations.

Thunderstorms are expected to hit some parts of the North Island today and tomorrow before temperatures soar to low-30s in some parts of New Zealand later this week.

A Kiwi father-of-four has died in Melbourne eight days after being hospitalised for "sudden onset asthma".

At least two people are believed to have died from the unusual condition in Melbourne, but could it happen here?

The Metservice is warning rain, wind, and possible thunderstorms are on the way to Wellington for tonight and tomorrow.

The Prime Minister's bodyguards directed traffic around a high rise close to collapse, slips caused traffic chaos and homes were evacuated in capital.

These astonishing photos were taken in the heart of Tornado Alley in the Great Plains of the United States.

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A thunderstorm warning remains in place as violent electrical storms pounded Auckland overnight leaving many without power for hours.

Northland, northern Auckland and Taranaki were buffeted by thunderstorms and high winds last night, as much of the rest of the country

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Thunder storms and torrential rain are dousing the upper North Island as the tail-end of a storm makes its presence felt on this side of Tasman.

Join Tristram Clayton and Phil Duncan as they discuss the latest in weather.

A gaping chasm has appeared in a south Waikato road as councils across the North Island begin to take stock of damage in the wake of the weekend's storm.

As scary as it might sound, the occurrence is more common than you'd think.

Three people were killed in floodwaters from a storm that pounded Australia's east coast, as Sydney residents brace themselves for another destructive king tide.

Tornadoes touch down in Dodge City, Kansas causing early reports of damage, Konrad Hurrell has been released from his contract with the Warriors and Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says homeless people could be offered up to $5000 to leave Auckland.

nzherald.co.nz reader Chris Weissenborn sent in this footage of lightning and thunder on the North Shore's Hauraki Corner at 5am this morning.

A very odd atmospheric event has been unfolding in the Arabian Sea.

It was a heartening moment captured amid overwhelming bleakness: a 3-year-old Hurricane Katrina survivor wrapping her chubby little arms round the air force pararescue jumper who had rappelled into New Orleans to save the girl's family from floodwaters.

A day that started off fine and clear for most areas of Auckland yesterday quickly turned into something a "little strange".

Super typhoon Soudelor is generating waves of about 15m as it heads towards Taiwan, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.

MetService said a strong, cold southwest flow over New Zealand was bringing showers to southern parts of the North and South Islands.

An Auckland mother and her terrified son hid in a cupboard as ferocious winds sent a tree branch smashing into their living room.

A group of school campers blocked in by a landslip in Fiordland haven't let "avalanches" and torrential rain put a damper on their fun.

Violent storms across Colorado swirled into tornadoes that destroyed homes, popped open a sinkhole that swallowed a police patrol car and dropped so much hail on a Denver neighbourhood.

Marty Duffy believes his Northeast Valley house will be a write-off after a ''canyon'' opened up in his section.