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The North Island is expected to face a pounding from the weather today after spectacular thunderstorms hit the country yesterday and prompted warnings for people to stay indoors.
The dismal weather is forecast to continue through the weekend and until at least Tuesday in most areas.
More than 7500 lightning strikes were recorded on the South Island's West Coast yesterday, with 1100 in one hour alone, and power was knocked out for a short time, said Greymouth Weather Watch reporter Katrina Lowe.
"We had flashes every 30 seconds and the thunder was just rumbling and rumbling."
The Mayor of Greymouth, Tony Kokshoorn, said the intense weather burst "gave everyone a bit of a thrill".
A friend had phoned to tell him about the biggest thunderclap he had ever heard over Mr Kokshoorn's house. "He said it was a wonder my house is still there.
"There were huge thunderclaps across Greymouth. It hasn't been fork lightning - it's major sheet lightning. It's not threatening - as in everything is okay. It's a typical good old storm on the West Coast."
The head weather analyst for the Radio Network, Philip Duncan, said a large swarm of thunderstorms had moved over the West Coast and headed north.
Mr Duncan had advised people to stay indoors and switch off computers if they heard thunder.
"With so many lightning strikes there's a very high chance of direct hits to trees, powerlines and buildings."
The MetService has predicted wind gusts of up to 120km/h could batter the east coast from the Wairarapa to North Canterbury today.
MetService forecaster Ian Miller said the winds would hit exposed hilltops on the Rimutaka Rd, Castle Point and parts of Marlborough and the Kaikoura Coast in the south.
He said people on motorbikes and drivers of high-sided trucks and campervans could face dangerous conditions.
Mr Miller said high ground between Taranaki and Lake Taupo was set for a drenching, and thunderstorms with wind gusts of up to 110km/h could also batter the region.
A cold snap is due to hit Eastern Otago, Fiordland and Southland with snow down to 300m tomorrow through to Sunday.
