Some parts of the Coromandel Peninsula are still cut off by flooding following torrential downpours.

Parts of the North Island are set for a soaking today, with up to 140mms of rain expected to fall in some areas.

Northland and Auckland could be in for wind gusts of 120km an hour and a small tornado while heavy rains are set to hit further south.

A large depression is moving towards the central North Island and Waikato, bringing with it plenty of rain.

Families heading home from the school holidays are warned to expect delays as the weekend brings rain, thunder, gales and even snow to much of the country.

At one point, an average of 75,000 tonnes of dust was being dumped each hour into the Tasman Sea, researchers say.

The North Island has been warned to expect more thunderstorms tonight, and possibly tornadoes as well.

When the Fire Service called John Weatherley and told him there was a problem at home he thought his house must have burned down.

A wall of thunderstorms the length of New Zealand is about to hit, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and even snow.

The MetService is forecasting these strong westerly winds are set to continue until Wednesday.