The wild weekend weather gives way today to lighter winds and clearer skies.
Westerly gales hammered much of the country yesterday, with gusts at Cape Turnagain on the North Island east coast hitting 195kmh. Wintry blasts brought snow to parts of Otago and Southland.
The fierce winds ripped roofs off sheds in the lower North Island, and the Fire Service responded to 50 calls yesterday morning.
Skifields in the South Island had fresh dumps of snow, and more was forecast this week, NZ Ski chief executive Paul Anderson said.
"Winter has well and truly arrived."
Temperatures in Auckland dropped 5C in just eight minutes to 12C yesterday afternoon as torrential downpours and gale force winds hit the city.
