A massive "temperature tumble" will chill New Zealand this Queen's Birthday weekend, according to WeatherWatch.
On Tuesday, WeatherWatch warned of a winter blast expected to cool New Zealand this coming weekend and "hack daytime temperatures".
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"Even northern NZ is affected by the southerly surge, the first one of its kind so far this year," the forecaster said.
For example, on Saturday, Auckland's current forecasted high is 13C when highs expected for most of this week are expected to be around 20C.
It will be even cooler in the south, as Christchurch will drop from highers close to 20C in the week to only 9C on Saturday.
Those in Queenstown and Dunedin should also prepare for a blast of snow down to 400m and hail in some areas.
Even the normally warm Hawke's Bay will take a hit. WeatherWatch says it will fall from the low 20Cs to weekend highs of roughly 12C.
The "Winterless North" of the Bay of Islands will drop from 22C on Wednesday to 14C on Saturday.
NIWA principal scientist Chris Brandolino agreed Saturday is when the weather will start getting dire.
"Saturday is going to be downright miserable weather-wise.
"Wind, some rain showers, colder temperatures, and especially after the warm May and warm Autumn that we have had, it is really going to accentuate the coldness, that big difference from the near record warmth to this blast of cold weather."
But "multiple rounds of rain and wind" may begin hitting New Zealand on Tuesday, including on the West Coast.
"Got to watch the West Coast region of the South Island, could be some pretty heavy rain down there over the next couple days and there could be some localised issues there."
Wednesday, the day of the teachers' mega strike, will be mostly fine, however.
"I think Wednesday is probably the pick day, so if you are looking to get outside and maybe pull a sickie, not that I promote those things.
"They will be striking in fairly tranquil weather, it will be warm, not everywhere, but I think much of the country that will be the best day."
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