Dunedin is in for a wet start to 2017, with rain and cool temperatures expected to hang around for at least the next week.
Though Wednesday started off fine, forecast hail begain falling about 11am, with heavy rain and thunder also expected and a high of just with 14degC.
MetService was yesterday predicting rain to fall in Dunedin on eight of the next nine days.
The forecast is marginally better across the rest of Otago, with a mixture of rain and sun forecast for the next nine days.
MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said a south-southwesterly flow was bringing a series of fronts up the country, resulting in cool temperatures and rain.
''That's looking pretty much like it's going to persist right through the weekend,'' Mr Doolin said.
A high was expected to bring brief respite tomorrow before the poor weather returned.
Dunedin was not the only place having a poor start to 2017 and much of the country was experiencing mixed weather.
''We just haven't really had a nice solid blocking high over the country yet [this summer].''
More rain was likely next week.
The wet weather did not dampen spirits at Leith Valley Holiday Park and Motels yesterday. Holidaymakers made the best of the conditions by playing games inside or going to the movies.
Corina Noah, of Christchurch, said she and her family spent the day inside the park's common room playing table tennis and pool.
The weather was a bit ''disappointing'', but they planned on keeping themselves busy by taking a tour of Cadbury World and visiting Otago Museum.
Rick Delander, of Darwin, said the weather was much colder than he was used to, but had not stopped him from enjoying his holiday.
