October temperatures were predicted to be average, or above average, in the east of both islands.

Snow is falling in Dunedin and other parts of Otago and Southland as a burst of cold air comes across the country.

It's going to be a stormy start to spring with rain on the radar throughout the country.

Batten down the hatches - spring is on the way and its first week brings wet and windy weather.

The MetService has confirmed it is vying for the multi-million pound weather forecasting contract on BBC TV.

MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said there were a few showers affecting Northland and Taranaki today, as well as some cloud over the central North Island.

A cold snap sweeping across the country has made for a frosty start to the week and disrupted flights, roads and schools in Dunedin.

Aucklanders who shivered through another cold night will be pleased to know the showers that brought hail to many places yesterday will ease today.

Hail has pelted Aucklanders today, while snow has paved the Desert Rd and blanketed Dunedin.

Heavy rain is forecast to sweep the South Island this morning as most centres settle in for a drizzly day.

A short and sharp weather bomb hit Auckland and the Bay of Plenty today causing surface flooding and damage to some homes throughout the regions.

The freezing temperatures have caused burst water pipes and hot water cylinders and flooding in Auckland and Hamilton homes.

Rain that has caused flooding in areas of the lower North Island has finally eased off, however it looks set to be replaced with freezing temperatures.

Yesterday's destructive waves are likely to become a more common occurrence, says a councillor from the worst-hit parts of Wellington.

Massive waves caused havoc on Wellington's south coast, sending boulders onto roads, despite fine and sunny weather in the region today.

MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said there was a weather watch in place for some snow in areas of Fiordland, Otago and Southland last night.

Huge waves and powerful winds have scattered debris and stopped traffic on coastal roads in central parts of the country today.

Temperatures have plummeted unusually sharply this month, with the mild start to May now a distant memory - and next month looks set to be even colder.

Cleanup efforts have started. Mount Maunganui Intermediate will be closed Friday after announcing that it had suffered “considerable damage”.

Climate scientists are warning that a large, ocean-driven El Nino system could bring unwelcome weather extremes this year, making the east coast drier.

The Metservice says it will have to change its rain gauge at Haast because it is “not responding well to periods of heavy rain”.

Heavy rain and gales were expected for some areas tonight and tomorrow, with thunderstorms possible in or around Auckland.

Rain is likely for most of the country tomorrow before high pressure will bring sunshine on Sunday, forecasters say.

The cold snap that left much of the country shivering is now on its way out, but don't celebrate too soon: a wet weekend is on the cards.

The Easter weekend gets off a sunny start for most of the country today, but cloud and drizzle are on the way for Sunday Easter egg hunts.

Kiwis have more than chocolate eggs to look forward to this long Easter weekend, with mostly fine weather forecast for the country.