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Today is the first day of September and the official start of spring - but don't pack away the winter woollies just yet.
MetService weather forecaster Ian Miller says calmer weather is not expected until the weekend, continuing the wild spell felt by many regions over the past few days.
"The winds are going to pick up again in central and southern New Zealand, but it won't be as windy as it was [last] weekend."
A temperature of about 17C is expected in Auckland today.
However, winds could reach up to 45km/h and rain was expected.
The south of the North Island could face more fierce gusts and heavy showers today, but with the odd fine spell expected in Wellington, Mr Miller said.
Thunderstorms were forecast in Taranaki, Westland, Fiordland and the Horowhenua with mountaingoers warned to check the weather before heading out.
Heavy rains at the weekend caused flooding in the lower part of the North Island and last night forced the closure of State Highway 54 in Wairarapa.
Several crashes, floods and slips forced road closures around Wellington yesterday morning.
A slip near Pukerua Bay stopped trains on the Paraparaumu line into Wellington, while wind gusts of up to 155km/h were reported at Cape Turnagain on the Wairarapa coast.
Temperatures are expected to hover around 15C in the lower North Island with Taupo, Bay of Plenty and Waikato getting frequent showers during the day. A mild 18C is expected in Christchurch.
Mr Miller said people could look forward to better weather later in the week.
"There's a spell of settled weather in most parts of the country on Thursday and probably lasting over to the weekend - at least in the North Island."
Several roads throughout the central North Island were reopened yesterday after being closed by slips and flooding.
A building on the corner of Swanson St and Mills Lane in central Auckland was cordoned off yesterday after a loose window panel threatened to fall 11 floors to the ground below.
It was feared high winds would force the panel off, but the window was fixed and the road reopened.
- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA
