The weekend's freak storm in Napier and Hastings - when hail fell, and blue skies darkened - could herald a turbulent week ahead

A thunderstorm warning remains in place as violent electrical storms pounded Auckland overnight leaving many without power for hours.

A Huntly resident whose house was hit by a landslide still doesn't know when he can return after the region was hit by a "once in

This will be a good weekend to check out the museum or cuddle up with a book as heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast for parts of the country.

Goodbye winter - weather analysts say October is set to bring with it possible record-breaking temperatures close to 30C.

Gisborne District Council has reminded residents "closed means closed" after closed road signs were removed from roads made dangerous by recent heavy rain.

Heavy downpours and thunderstorms are possible today in already saturated areas of the North Island.

A heavy rain warning has been put in place for Gisborne and the Coromandel Peninsula.

Flash flooding brought a deluge of pine plantation slash and logs down a Northland river devastating farm properties in its path.

MetService issued a severe weather watch for heavy rain in the Wairoa district of Hawke's Bay last night, which is expected to last

A large slip has blocked SH3 in North Taranaki, flooding and slips have closed roads in Wellington and hampered the capital's World War I centenary events.

Parts of the country are experiencing balmy summer-like temperatures as the mercury soared above 20C at lunchtime today.

It may have got a bit nippy overnight, but the MetService says temperatures across the country will now get back to normal after recent chilly weather.

Skiers and snowboarders flocked to sunny Mt Ruapehu in such great numbers today that the access road to Whakapapa ski area had to be closed.

Search and rescue teams have suspended their search for the man missing in Tararua Forest Park overnight.

After a night of freezing temperatures, heavy rain and snow, forecasters are predicting more of the same today.

Rainy days are here to stay for most of the country today, as the wet weather which has stuck around for the last couple of weeks shows no signs of abating.

White-out conditions at Mt Ruapehu have forced the evacuation of dozens of people from the slopes today.

After heavy rain up north last night, sunshine followed by afternoon showers are in store for many parts of the country this weekend. Heavy

It's bad news for sun seekers but great news for snow goers as the winter weather begins to settle in.

A large low pressure system from the Tasman Sea is moving slowly across northern New Zealand during the next few days.

A big low is bringing bad weather.

Once the fog clears, scattered showers will set in.

North Islanders should rug up and turn their electric blankets on tonight as overnight lows drop by as much as 7C in some areas.

A new road snowfall warning has been issued for the Desert Road, with 1-2cm of snow expected above 900m.

Power outages and wild westerlies at the start of the week as a large low pressure system engulfs the north.

We get to enjoy a thin sliver of fine weather before the rain returns for the weekend.

It's been one of the warmest starts to the year that New Zealand has ever experienced, but Kiwis should start pulling out their winter woollies.

New Year's Eve revellers can expect a warm and sunny day in most parts of the country, but the good weather will be short-lived.