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A car is marooned in the flooded Motueka River - Source: Supplied by Ria Ahearn -
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Brace yourself for a cold and windy start to spring, and if you are in Canterbury or Otago then chances are you will be seeing some snow.
While the heavy rain which lashed the country's west coast has eased, high winds were expected to pick up again this evening and temperatures were set to plummet over the next few days, MetService severe weather forecaster Sarah Garlick said.
On Saturday, gale-force winds in Wellington forced airlines to cancel flights, uprooted trees, tore sections of roofing from buildings, smashed windows and threw a trampoline into powerlines.
It had been a particularly windy start to spring, Garlick said.
"It's like a switch that has been flicked on and we're right in to spring-like conditions."
While Wellington was due to escape the wrath of the high winds, expected to set in again this evening, Wairarapa, Southland and Dunedin should be on alert, Garlick said.
Gale-force winds were expected to reach 120kmh in those areas and could have the potential to cause damage similar to that in Wellington.
Due to set in at 6pm, the wind should ease by the time the sun has risen tomorrow, Garlick said.
"It's going to be windy in other areas as well, just not so severe." Other areas affected included Wellington, Marlborough and Canterbury.
Meanwhile, temperatures were expected to plummet tomorrow, bringing snow from 200 metres to 400m in Canterbury and Otago.
Snow was expected at sea level in Fiordland, Southland and Otago.
Those were not the only areas due to get cooler - temperatures will also drop in the North Island later this week, Garlick said.
And as for the rain, while it may have eased in many areas, Fiordland and Westland were due for another drenching in the next couple of days.
Dan Corbett of MetService told TV ONE's Breakfast that even though we're into spring technically, we are going to get a wintry blast.
"There could be some snow, farmers will need to take care across parts of the South Island with snow to perhaps low levels. It'll be quite a blast to the system," Corbett said.
He said the cold spell won't last long.
"We look at high pressure coming it for Wednesday and Thursday. But it will just be a bit of a reminder that winter is not completely finished off."