Weather

People on the West Coast are being warned of heavy rain, and the risk of flooding, in the next few days.

A "doozy" of a hailstorm with roiling black clouds has hit Hawke's Bay's main fruit region, though one grape grower says the late spring may have curbed damage to the vines.

Treasury has opposed a private business sharing in weather data from NIWA and MetService because they are such a money-spinner for the government, a spokesperson for a private weather forecaster says. Audio

Days of cold wind, rain, hail and snow are expected after a cold, southerly blast made landfall down south.

Roads were closed overnight in both the South and North islands after heavy snowfalls, but most have reopened during the morning.

A rare atmospheric event played a part in last night's strong gusts, rain and snow in some parts of the country, and will bring more cold spells.

MetService says two cold fronts moving up the country in the next few days will deliver heavy rain and snow and much colder temperatures.

The country will get a taste of summer over the weekend with temperatures reaching the late teens and early twenties.

Motorists need to use chains in snowy conditions on Lewis Pass, Arthur's Pass and Porters Pass, says the New Zealand Transport Agency.

A severe weather warning has been issued for the Coromandel and western Bay of Plenty today, with heavy rain expected over the next 18 hours.

Typhoon Faxai has made landfall near the Japanese capital bringing heavy rain and winds of up 210km/h. The storm comes as the country is preparing to host the Rugby World Cup.

Hundreds of people may be trapped on a North Carolina island amid rising floodwater after Hurricane Dorian made landfall, the state governor has warned.

Spring has arrived and weather around the country will be inconsistent as a result, MetService says.