The storm wreaking havoc across the country has been described as worse than Cyclone Bola.

The wet, windy and dreary weather is expected to lash most of the North Island for the next 10 days.

Many of us are hoping for good weather, but expect both dry and wet spells over the four-day weekend, says Philip Duncan.

Good news for holidaymakers coming up: this high is our third big one this month and another high looks likely to move in.

Dust is again going to be a problem for Christchurch later today and again tomorrow as winds pick back up again.

I can't help but think the forecasters in New Zealand have it easy compared to our Aussie neighbours...at least this summer anyway.

It's been incredibly busy weather-wise for the past month but conditions are going to be a little more settled this week for most New Zealanders and Australians.

Wilma has now well and truly gone, absorbed into the roaring 40s to bring more gales and rain to the South Ocean.

Another weekend and meh, another cyclone.

I've had a fascination with tropical storms since I was a kid. I love so much about them. Their unpredictability. Their power. Their names. (Hurricane Igor last year has got to be one of the best).

Tropical systems Vania and Zelia will merge as they head for New Zealand from different directions.