WeatherWatch predicts there will be snow on all ski fields, including Coronet Peak, this week. Photo: ODT files

Good news for ski fields - winter looks set to arrive right on cue, with an icy blast bringing snow to low levels on both islands this week.

In the South Island, a snowstorm delivered about 35cm of snow to Canterbury's Mt Hutt yesterday, which ski area manager James McKenzie described as "a bit sticky but absolutely perfect for our initial base layer".

WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said a cold southerly change would hit the country on Tuesday night - the eve of winter's first official day.

"There will be snow on the ranges of both islands, there will be snow on all the ski fields across the country," he said.

"There could even be snow in the Rimutakas and the Hawke's Bay ranges.

"We'll also see heavy cold rain on the east coast of the North Island, which is great for the farmers, although the cold isn't."

Downed trees, power cuts, flooded roads and slips were a result of the nasty weather yesterday, with a flurry of crashes also attributed to stormy conditions.

MetService initially issued a severe weather warning for today, but this morning said most of these would be lifted.

There was still a chance of some heavy rainfall in the ranges in the eastern Bay of Plenty, it said.

The upper North Island had a "moderate risk" of thunderstorms this afternoon. It would remain rainy, while the rest of the North Island would have few showers.

The South Island was predicted to be largely fine.

MetService recorded numerous lightning strikes in the North Island yesterday. More bad weather was expected overnight, including thunderstorms in the upper North Island.

"But there will be plenty of dry spells as well in-between all the areas of rain," Mr Duncan said.