Waikato, Taranaki and the Kapiti Coast would be "lit up like a Christmas tree'' tonight, with thunderstorms hitting the North Island's west coast, according to MetService.

MetService is pushing further into global markets with a business aimed at more accurate forecasting for the shipping and oil and gas industries around the world.

High temperatures and scarce rainfall helped make last month one of the driest Marches on record in many places.

It could be time to unfurl the brolly and dig out the raincoat from the back of the wardrobe as rain looks set to hit much of the country this weekend.

Downed power lines fell into a nearby paddock in Kaeo, while strong winds caused a tree to topple across a road in Parahaki, north of Whangarei.

Cantabrians blasted by yesterday's destructive tornado are "rolling up sleeves" and doing their own clean-up in classic Kiwi can-do style.

Summer has returned for most parts of the country, but the lack of rain may be causing concern for some.

Stock up on snarlers and chill the beer - most of the country is in for "barbecue weather" tomorrow, says MetService.

The showers that greeted Big Day Out revellers this morning are set to clear, with most of New Zealand in for a fine weekend.

A boisterous front that hammered Wellington with damaging gales today will push up the country but should weaken overnight.

Most of the country is in for fine weather this weekend, with just a small risk of an isolated shower for Auckland's Santa Parade, Metservice says.

The two mountaineers who died on Mt Taranaki had little chance of surviving for two nights and a day in their shallow hole in the hard snow and freezing wind, says a leading local guide.

Another soaking is ahead for most of the country this weekend, with only the west coast of the South Island escaping the deluge.

A fast-moving cold front will bring thunderstorms, squalls and even isolated tornadoes on Tuesday, a forecaster has warned.

The weekend will be at least partly wet for most of the country, forecasters said this morning.

New Zealand will provide a further $6 million to help Samoa recover from its most devastating cyclone in 21 years.

MetService says its weather forecasts for Auckland will be improved with the announcement yesterday of a "substantial" investment and a new team of meteorologists in the country's largest city.

Thunderstorms are being forecast for the lower North Island, with the possibility of hail greater than 20mm in diameter and wind gusts of 110kmh.

The realities of summer are showing in Hawke's Bay as sunburn victims traipsed through medical centres and pharmacies for something to ease the pain.