Thunderstorms are possible for parts of the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel as a quick-moving rain band moves across the country.

In it's latest weather update, the MetService said showers about the west continued to ease on Monday, with cloudy areas in the east becoming fine.

The snow has been topped up over the South Island, so for those who aren’t back at work or school, it could be beautiful bluebird conditions on the slopes this afternoon.

The weather organisation said this settling trend isn’t long-lived, as a quick-moving rain band approaches from the west this morning, bringing a period of heavy rain and showers to western and northern areas of the country.

Thunderstorms are possible about Taranaki and up to Northland, as well as Coromandel and the coastal Bay of Plenty.

“The silver lining is that this rain band and the showers will move too quickly to allow the accumulations to climb very high, but we’ll need to keep an eye out for the wind gusts as they move through,” said MetService meteorologist Katie Hillyer.

A background of strong winds, combined with fast-moving features, could bring very strong, 80-100km/h gusts to Northland and Auckland in the morning and afternoon.

Tuesday morning brings a period of heavy rain and showers to western and northern areas of the country. Photo / MetService

By the end of today, the rain band will be moving off the country and the showers behind it will have eased.

As the temperatures drop a little behind the rainband, the winds will have a cold bite and we will feel a return to more normal winter temperatures.

“Snow to 700 metres is possible in the south of the South Island, so those who are travelling should keep an eye out for Road Snow Warnings and stay up to date with information from NZTA Waka Kotahi,” said Hillyer.

Wednesday is generally an easing trend across the country, but towards the end of the day we get a bit of a split in the situation.

Overnight Wednesday and into Thursday, a quick-moving low will cross regions including Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, bringing rain that is likely to be heavy at times.

Further south, there will be showers about coastal areas in the southwest of the country, such as the West Coast and Southland, but otherwise there will be lots of sun to make up for the colder temperatures.