Freezing cold mornings, severe gales and dangerous sea conditions are in store for New Zealand next week.
Several fronts associated with a large and complex low-pressure system just north of New Zealand will sink southwards and bring heavy rain and strong wind to northern regions.
WeatherWatch warns severe gales are expected offshore from Northland and Auckland overnight Sunday and across Monday.
"Windiest weather will be in eastern Northland and northern Auckland along the eastern coastline," it says.
"While gales are possible in Auckland city for a time on Monday it's Great Barrier Island that is actually most exposed - and then later on it's East Cape, Gisborne and eastern Bay of Plenty exposed to gusty winds and gales."
MetService says there is high confidence of warning amounts of rain and severe gale southeast winds in Northland during Tuesday morning.
"There is moderate confidence of severe gale southeast winds in exposed parts of Auckland north of the Harbour Bridge including Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula during Tuesday morning, and a Strong Wind Watch is already in force for these areas," it says.
"Also during Tuesday morning, there is moderate confidence of warning amounts of rain about Great Barrier Island and a Heavy Rain Watch is already in force."
MetService warns these strong southeasterly winds will whip up large waves for Northland south of the Bay of Islands, Great Barrier Island, and northern parts of the Coromandel Peninsula.
"The waves are expected to reach four metres in height tomorrow (Monday) evening," it says.
"Combining with the high tide at around 9pm, these waves have the potential to cause coastal erosion and inundation, and make conditions near the shore dangerous."
On Tuesday and Wednesday, there is high confidence of warning amounts of rain in Gisborne, especially north of the City and a Heavy Rain Watch is already in force for this area.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday and Wednesday there is moderate confidence of warning amounts of rain about the ranges of Hawke's Bay.
"Severe frosts" are forecast for the South Island's interior tonight with -5C to -12C possible in some highland areas.
A NIWA graphic shows where the 'feel like' temperature will be below 0C for the next three mornings.
Nearly all the South Island and much of the central and lower North Island set to endure a chilly start.
