Weather

Two big weather systems will bang both ends of New Zealand this weekend and the year's coldest blast yet is expected early next week.

An 80-year-old doctor on his way to a family event died after his car became submerged in rising floodwaters in Petone.

This week's weather is expected to be more autumnal than wintry, with highs in the mid-teens likely to be a welcome change after last week's cold blast.

A severe rain warning for Clutha and Dunedin may culminate in heavy snow falling to 500m in Otago today, a MetService meteorologist says.

Rain, gales and thunderstorms are battering parts of the lower North Island today, and torrential rain is already affecting the Kapiti Coast.

Clear sunny days will brighten the weekend, but once the sun sets, prepare for chilly nights, MetService says.

One young Auckland family had a lucky escape after a tree was blown down on the front of their car this afternoon, as wild weather hits the region.

A fine morning is expected on Saturday for Anzac services, but the clear skies won't hold for the rest of the long weekend.

A high pressure system sitting over New Zealand is keeping the large storm battering New South Wales at bay - but is only days away from hitting New Zealand.

He's a small boy packing a big punch, and Kiwis have been warned to watch out for him this year.

Heavy showers have fallen across the upper North Island this afternoon, but in the weeks ahead downpours should be almost as rare as empty seats at the Cricket World Cup final.

The weekend ahead is looking good for farmers but potentially disruptive for cricket fans, forecasters say.

A recently published survey found almost 50 per cent of the population wanted the country's summer holidays moved to February.

More sunshine is on its way around the country, with forecasters predicting the summery weather will continue after yesterday's scorching temperatures.

Get out the sundresses and shorts for Christmas Day but keep the umbrella and cardi handy.

The first Christmas Day weather forecast has been released - and it's not looking so good.

Summer will not be off to a fine start, with rain and even hail forecast for much of the country tomorrow.

Summer is coming but forecasters are warning not to take the extra blanket off the bed just yet.