Cold temperatures, snow, rain - but also sunshine, in some parts - will ring in the first day of winter today.
The MetService said there was an unstable southwesterly flow affecting the top of the North Island this morning. As a result, places in that region could be in for some harsh weather conditions early in the day.
"There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms during the morning in Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula - although the risk reduces to low in Northland after dawn.
"If these thunderstorms occur, they are likely to be accompanied by localised heavy rain ... " There is also a low risk of thunderstorms over northern Waikato, the coast in Gisborne and northern Hawke's Bay coast.
Auckland is forecast to get showers and a chance of heavy rain and thunder, which will clear later this afternoon. The city has a temperature high of 14C and an overnight low of 7C.