Winter continues to grip some parts of the country with bitterly cold south to south west winds, hail, heavy showers and sleet.

Reports of sleet and hail showers came in last night in Christchurch while today heavy showers are pounding Wellington.  Hail showers are also in the mix, mainly about Wellington and the North Island’s east coast from Wairarapa to East Cape, including Masterton, Napier, Hastings, Wairoa and Gisborne.

Strong, gale force at times, southerlies are roaring through Wellington and Wanganui this morning too.

It’s a different story on the west coast with sunny skies already moving in as a high the size of Australia moves in.

Over the next 24 hours all regions should see an improvement in weather conditions with remaining showers easing in Auckland and Northland by afternoon.

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