More unsettled weather is to come after a "blustery and thundery weekend", MetService says.
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for western part of the North Island and the Marlborough Sounds from Saturday night into Sunday morning.
From midnight Friday until 6am Monday, more than 93,000 lightning strikes were recorded, MetService meteorologist Alwyn Bakker said.
About a quarter of that number occurred over land, accompanied by heavy rain and thunder.
"Rain intensities peaked at 15mmh for most affected regions, with some areas seeing 20 to 25mmh", he said.
"However, once the majority of the thunderstorms cleared on Sunday morning the weather improved significantly for much of the country, with temperatures reaching the high teens to low 20s in both main islands."
Flights were grounded at Auckland Airport yesterday morning due to severe fog, and unsettled weather across the country was expected to continue for at least the first part of the working week.
A strong wind watch is in place for Wellington today, while in parts of the South Island, wind watches, strong wind warnings, heavy rain watches and warnings have been issued.
"We advise people to keep up to date with the latest forecasts, as spring weather is notoriously changeable. Thunderstorms are also possible for parts of the South Island, and also coastal Taranaki to northern Wellington on Tuesday."
Meanwhile, a temperature drop is expected tomorrow and Thursday — particularly in eastern areas, MetService said.
"Looking further ahead, a ridge over the Tasman Sea starts to extend over Aotearoa New Zealand on Wednesday, driving away most of the poor weather and lowering overnight temperatures. Frosts will be possible in parts of the South Island and inland North Island, along with snow for higher passes."
More wind and rain is expected this weekend.
