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.

Northland is in for a drenching this weekend, as the remnants of Cyclone Evan brush the country.

Cyclone Evan's going to put a bit of a dampener on Christmas - it's likely to be wet, hot and humid. The remnants of the tropical cyclone which hit Samoa and Fiji are set to reach New Zealand around Christmas Eve.

Kiwis will be able to fire up the barbecues and set up the cricket sets this Christmas, with sunny weather forecast for much of the country. WeatherWatch.co.nz has today released its Chrismas Day forecast, which predicts high temperatures and sunshine

Next week, Kiwi musician Jason Kerrison will sit around a bonfire in the Far North strumming a guitar with friends - preparing for the end of time.

Parts of the North Island are being warned to brace for possible slips and surface flooding as a low brings rain to much of the country today.

Flying debris and trees and branches falling across roads could make it unsafe to be outside if predicted severe northwest gales hit Otago and Southland today.

A cold snap has brought a dusting of snow to parts of the South Island as the country braces for more unseasonably chilly weather over the long weekend.

New Zealanders may have to pack their umbrellas for the upcoming long weekend, with wet and windy weather forecast for much of the country on Saturday.

Another round of stormy spring weather is moving in tomorrow and Thursday, bringing heavy rain and gales to parts of the country.

Boulders weighing up to 200 tonnes have blocked access to Milford Sound as galeforce winds and driving rain sweep across the country.

Large areas of New Zealand are preparing for a storm cell "bigger and nastier" than the weather bomb that tore roofs from homes at Wanganui earlier this year.

Despite 120km/h gales in the South Island and lower North Island there have been no reports of damage, emergency services say.

A clothes line index is being considered by the MetService to make weather predictions more user-friendly.

A weather-related power outage plunged the lower North Island into darkness tonight and brought the All Blacks test match to a halt.