KEY POINTS:
Snow fell in Dunedin's hill suburbs this morning, as sleet, rain and wind hit other parts of the city.
Meanwhile, MetService said strong winds in Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula could reach severe gale force around lunchtime.
It said the southwesterlies could peak with gusts of up to 120 km/h.
A warning of severe gales in some exposed coastal parts of Southland, eastern Otago and Banks Peninsula was also in place until late afternoon or evening.
The temperature in Dunedin was sitting at about three degrees all morning.
Police say there have not been any weather related problems so far, but they are urging motorists to continue driving to the conditions.
MetService is forecasting southwesterly winds of up to 130 km/h in exposed coastal areas for the rest of the day.
It said: "Gusts of this strength have the potential to cause damage to trees and power lines, and make driving difficult for high sides vehicles and motorbikes."
- NZHERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB
