A short-sharp barrage of rain and hail pummelled Invercargill today leaving the city looking like a scene from mid-winter.

A vigorous front which has hammered the lower South Island with high winds and rain will attack central parts of the country today.

Damaging gales have hit the bottom of the South Island this afternoon and are moving north.

Drivers are being urged to use alternative routes to avoid long queues during what is expected to be a warm weekend.

This Christmas is predicted to be the fairest of the decade, and hot, dry conditions are expected to last almost until the New Year.

The Christmas exodus of people leaving Wellington has created a state of "absolute bedlam" on roads leading out of the city, police say.

Mainly settled temperatures in the low 20s and light seabreezes are predicted for for Christmas Day.

Hailstones the size of marbles fell from the sky as thunderstorm season begins in Canterbury.

The golden sunshine may be set to fade this weekend but expect the warm temperatures to continue.

The MetService says Aucklanders can expect more than 50mm of rain in the next six hours, or 100mm in the next 24 hours.

Parts of the North Island are set for a soaking today, with up to 140mms of rain expected to fall in some areas.

Find out where to watch fireworks displays in your area tonight and during the weekend.

A cold southerly is set to dump more snow on the Desert Road and bring a chill to much of the country.