New Zealand is about to be stormed by a winter blast that will unleash bitterly cold temperatures, "extreme" wind chill and heavy snow on the country.
A surge of cold air from the far reaches of the Southern Ocean will get dragged across New Zealand on Saturday night, bringing warnings a "significant weather event" is developing.
"Get ready for a short, but sharp blast of cold air later this weekend into early next week," NIWA warns.
"The cold weather will impact everyone… from those in urban regions (turning up the heaters) to farmers in rural areas (especially those calving and lambing)."
Wind chill warnings
This blast of cold air will lead to sharp cold winds and a temperature drop. MetService says most South Island main centres will struggle to break double digits on Sunday and Monday.
It's also issued a strong wind warning for Wellington and coastal Marlborough from 4pm on Sunday with southerlies forecast to reach severe gale strength in exposed places.
WeatherWatch warns the wind chill will be extreme in some higher alpine areas with -10C to -15C expected through the mountains on Monday.
"At sea level wind chill will get down to around -3C in some locations and may linger for 24 to 36 hours," it says.
"For newborn lambs and calves, this will be tough weather because showers/damp and strong winds will make it worse."
Wellington's wind chill on Monday will hover about 0C all day and may dip below zero at times too.
Heavy snow
MetService says the cold will significantly drop the snow level by the end of the weekend into early morning Monday.
"Cold air creeps up the island during Sunday, lowering the snow level in its wake. Snow is expected down to 200 metres, with possibly heavy accumulations above 500 metres," it forecasts.
"The snow continues overnight into Monday, and heavy snow is also likely for areas farther south. The snow also extends to the central and lower North Island into Monday morning."
MetService warns this will be a significant snow event for Marlborough and Canterbury on Sunday and Monday. A heavy snow warning has been issued for Marlborough south of Seddon and Canterbury north of Mt Hutt from 8am on Sunday with snowfall down to 100 metres and heavy snowfall above 200m.
For the South Island, the rest of Canterbury, Marlborough, as well as Nelson, Buller and northern Westland are covered in a heavy snow watch.
Some North Island areas will also be affected.
"Taihape, as well as the Tararua and Remutaka Ranges are under a heavy snow watch from Sunday evening. This will affect the Remutaka Hill Road," MetService says.
