How long are we going to shiver for?

Hail in Dannemora on Monday. Photo / Allan Adair

The cold weather is here to stay for the next few weeks as we shiver through an El Nino winter.

The weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean means stormy southerlies are likely to keep hitting New Zealand, forecasters say.

"There is a respite from the chilly conditions heading into the weekend though, as warm northerlies on the leading edge of a trough sweep over the country," MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said.

"However, severe weather warnings and watches have been issued as those northerlies bring heavy rain and strong winds to many places

"Warnings and watches are currently in place for western and northern parts of the South Island, and a significant band of rain is forecast to affect the Auckland region during Friday afternoon, with a burst of heavy rain likely during the busy school pick up time."

The weekends itself will be cold and unsettled and those attending the Bledisloe Cup rugby decided at Auckland's Eden Park could be hit by the odd cool shower.

Temperatures are expected to be about 10 to 12C.

"The trough continues its journey eastwards on Sunday, and is followed by a narrow ridge over the South Island. The ridge slides over the North Island on Monday, while strong northwesterlies blow over the South Island ahead of the next trough rushing in from the Southern Ocean."