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Schools in Queenstown have been shut after steady snow.
A Qanatas flight has also been diverted to Invercargill after the resort town felt the start of a polar blast moving up the country.
Metservice spokesman Bob McDavitt said a low was hovering over the South Island and strengthening as it made its way east.
Forecasters issued a severe weather warning this morning saying gusts of wind of up to 130 km/h are set to batter the East coast area between Napier and Masterton tonight.
They are warning that westerlies could reach 75 km/h in exposed places and could cause damage to roofs, powerlines and trees.
"So there's lots of isobars and they've got to make their way across the country but they don't do it in a uniform way, they pinch in places," he said.
"The place we're expecting the main pinch is between Havelock North, Hastings, Napier and southwards to Eketahuna and Masterton area."
The gales would be "enough to lift roofs, down powerlines and knock over a few trees".
Meanwhile motorists in the deep south are encountering snow on the roads. Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass and Milford are expected to be the worst affected.
Mr McDavitt said up to 15cm was expected overnight above 500m around Arthur's Pass and 1-2cm at the same level around Porters Pass.
A "brief dusting" of snow was forecast near the Milford tunnel this morning, and 1-2cm along the whole of the Milford Road by midnight tonight.
The icy weather will be the second part of a storm moving across the Tasman which is battering New South Wales with destructive winds.
There has also been snow, heavy rains and damaging surf.
A cold and squally southwesterly wind flow from the polar ice-shelf is expected to shift on to the South Island today, bringing snow to mountains.
Mr McDavitt said the polar air would reach the North Island tomorrow and Saturday, making wind chill levels drop to below freezing.
Aucklanders were advised to clear their guttering and stormwater drains as thunderstorms and heavy rain continued to hit the city last night.
Up to 20mm of rain will have fallen in Auckland by the end of today.
Boaties should heed warnings as the MetService is predicting gales for the Waitemata and Manukau harbours, with strong blasts across the Hauraki Gulf and from Bream Head (near Whangarei) to Cape Colville (Coromandel).
Winds yesterday rose to 35 knots, gusting to 45 knots, and more of the same is expected today.
"Then the westerly and southwesterlies will come through and we'll be out of it," Mr McDavitt said.
"But winter is certainly tightening its grip now - and we are still on the downward trend."
Those playing golf or watching sport from the sidelines this weekend are advised to pack an umbrella, as squally showers will intrude in the few available bright spots.
Similar weather to Auckland's will continue to buffet Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel today.
But thunder and heavy rain will turn to showers and these will be accompanied by gale force winds.
Meanwhile, a severe weather warning is in force from Bay of Plenty to the areas north of Gisborne.
The ranges in those areas are predicted to receive between 70mm and 100mm of rain.
Intensities could reach 25mm an hour, Mr McDavitt said.
Yesterday's rain was accompanied by a warm front, the weather ambassador said. People who felt chilly then should expect to feel even colder over the next few days.
Snow would feature on the central plateau today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.
Mt Ruapehu's ski operators could be in business soon after.
Severe westerly gales were yesterday being monitored between Havelock North and Eketahuna.
There was a possibility that the wind warning would be upgraded.
Strong northeasterly squalls also dominated Northland's weather yesterday.
The region's eastern hills and some inland areas recorded significant falls, with 49mm falling at Ohaeawai from early yesterday to late afternoon.
Whangarei recorded nearly 18mm over the same period, with Kaeo in the Far North getting 42mm.
Northland Regional Council hydrologist Dale Hansen said rain had not fallen with enough intensity per hour to cause flooding, and no roads were reported closed.
- with NEWSTALK ZB
