A fast-moving storm tonight in Christchurch lit up the sky and caused power outages. Take a look at Joe Morgan's time-lapse video.

Dozens of Canterbury properties were flooded by heavy rain overnight. A Fire Service spokesman said there were 39 weather-related calls from the region between about 10pm and 2am, mostly for surface flooding. The incidents were mostly around Lyttelton and Sumner, already sodden after several periods of heavy rain in the past month.

As torrential rain hit eastern Coromandel and the western Bay of Plenty, authorities monitored river levels and warned farmers to move stock to higher ground if necessary.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the fog is finally clearing away after some light winds and a high pressure system will settle our weather as it continues to move across the Tasman Sea.

Today over New Zealand again the top third of the nation will experience fairly mild conditions. Showers and dry, sunny, spells are expected in the north west flow. Rain and cloud will push into eastern areas too with some heavy falls. Through central New Zealand there will be a combination of wind, cloud and some rain or showers - but a repeat of Auckland's dramatic flooding yesterday is not expected in other main centres through central New Zealand. Southland and Otago will spend another day mostly in single digits after more severe frosts - but blue skies are also likely for most centres except in the east where some cloud is likely with a low risk of a shower for Dunedin.

Parts of Auckland were hit by surface flooding this afternoon, as a severe thunderstorm rolled through the region. High winds caused disruptions in Auckland City, the Fire Service dealt with dozens of reports of flooding and power was cut to hundreds this afternoon.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says an anticyclone to the east of New Zealand is slowly moving away while a northeasterly airflow increases over both islands which will bring high risk of heavy rain.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says a big Tasman high will bring settled & calm conditions

The winds will strengthen for many regions today, more squally showers are predicted and snow will continue to fall to very low levels as a moderate winter storm continues to affect New Zealand. WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters say winds will actually build for the South Island today and into Thursday with a chance of severe gales in areas that missed them on Tuesday.

Black ice is also plaguing roads around the lower South Island. The Queenstown Lakes District Council said main routes around the district have ice on the roads and have been gritted. The Crown Range is open, but chains are required and towing vehicles are prohibited. The Fire Service said there had been several minor accidents in Dunedin overnight due to ice on the roads. Police are urging motorists to stay off the roads unless necessary.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says after a brutally cold start to winter for many regions the weather this weekend will be fairly Autumn-like with mild, settled weather kicking off the weekend for most then turning to colder wetter weather on Sunday.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan shows his top 10 picks of weather photos for 2012 so far.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says another weather system will make its way toward New Zealand today. The Tasmanian low will bring more wind and rain to the North Island as we head into the afternoon and evening hours. That’s on top of the showers that will be dotting the island this morning.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan has your weekend weather forecast.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the low centered at the south east of the country will continue to bring the cold temperatures throughout the majority country

The inland Kaikoura road the day after the big snow. Joe Morgan filmed this snow filled driving from Kaikoura to Waiau on a GoPro camera mounted to the bull-bar of his Landcruiser for nzherald.co.nz.

Heavy blankets of snow fell on Christchurch City causing some road & school closures but that didn't stop work & play around the city.

The fall of heavy snow has hit the town of Methven causing road & school closures. Local farmer David Callaghan is not too worried as yet & is happy he had plenty of notice of the heavy snow fall.