The weather gods delivered a king-hit of heavy rains and high winds over the country yesterday, causing flash flooding and closing off roads due to slips.

Metservice says heavy rain and gales have eased as temperatures were set to take a wintry turn across the country.

Auckland and Northland are about to get much-needed rain with a line of thunderstorms off the coast of the North Island.

The summer "bomb low" is expected to continue to bring wild weather to the country today.

The worst of the West Coast's wet weather should be over by dawn tomorrow, says Hokitika weather observer Mark Crompton.

Residents in parts of the country have been warned to brace for widespread flooding, slips and fast-rising rivers as the mid-week weather system hits.

Residents in parts of the country have been warned to brace for widespread flooding, slips and fast-rising rivers as a power-packed, mid-week weather system hits.

Multiple severe weather warnings and watches were issued yesterday as a cold front looks set to put a dampener on summer.

Alan Langdon's father believes his son always intended to sail to Australia, not the Bay of Islands as he claims.

South-westerlies dominating the country this summer will continue to deliver wind and cloud to large parts of the country today.

The last weekend of summer holidays for many is set to be a mixed bag weatherwise.

Holiday makers heading for the beach today are being warned about big swells down the East Coast.

Big swells predicted to surge up the eastern side of New Zealand from Kaikoura to north of Mahia Peninsula

New Zealand is in for a wet day with just the northern tip of the country resembling summer.

Bay of Islands the place to be for summer sun today

The lower North Island and the South Island's West Coast and Buller regions have been told to brace for a wet and windy start to 2017.

There are severe weather warnings in place for parts of the South Island, with heavy rain and strong winds forecast in some areas.

What sort of weather will usher in the new year?

Bad weather is starting to hit the South Island.

Queenstown and Wanaka are expected to be the hottest.

What will start out as a cloudy morning for most of the country should clear as the Christmas day wears on, but the odd shower is in store too.

The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

Wet weather today will clear throughout the country making way for a mainly fine Christmas weekend.

What will the weather be doing on Sunday for Christmas?

If variety is the spice of life, this week is set to be a lively one.

Firefighters are working in warm conditions to douse the fire at Te Hauke, south of Hastings.

It will be another good day for going to the beach for much of the north of the country.

It's going to be a sunny one this weekend for most of the country.

We may be 12 days into summer but the rain falling over the last week isn't going anywhere fast.

More wet weather is on the way this weekend.