Thunder, lightning and full moons filled the night sky across the Bay of Plenty last night.

Around 30 or so lightning strikes were recorded as a thunderstorm rattled its way around Tauranga and Te Puke.

Thunderstorms and lightning rolled across the region last night. Photos: Cameron Avery.

MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey says some scattered showers developed over the North Island and, thanks to cold temperatures in the upper atmosphere, that produced hail and some lightning strikes east of Tauranga.

Hail and lightning was recorded around Te Puke as well as offshore.

A dusting of the white stuff. This photo was taken by Justin Timms as he travelled between Rotorua and Te Puke.

Stephen says there were around 30 or so lightning strikes across the region.

However, he is forecasting a fine day for the Western Bay today.

'And in the Eastern Bay, it should be mainly fine but there is a chance of a shower this afternoon,” he says After the cold south-east flow that persisted over the country last week, this week sees a change to weather patterns which are more typical of spring.

A ridge of high pressure is expected to bring fine weather to most places during today and Wednesday, before a series of fronts spread across New Zealand from the west late in the week, says Stephen.

'It's looking pretty settled again tomorrow and Thursday is looking fine.

'Eastern areas in particular can expect a warmer and drier week ahead after all the rain they had last week.

'Strong north-west winds precede a front as it moves across the country during Thursday and Friday, with gales likely in central New Zealand.”

Stephen says a cold south-west change follows the front, but it should be relatively short-lived since the features are moving through quite quickly.