A major storm is bringing wet and windy weather to much of the country this week with snow expected in the south as a cold front moves across New Zealand.
MetService said heavy rain is expected in the west coasts of both the South and North Island with several warnings and watches in place.
A heavy rain warning is in place for the Bay of Plenty while watches are in place for Rotorua and Gisborne. The Tararua Range is also under a heavy rain watch.
Meanwhile down south, Buller and Westland north of Greymouth are under a heavy rain warning and Tasman west of Motueka and the Richmond and Bryant ranges are under a heavy rain watch. A heavy rain watch is also in place for Fiordland and Westland south of Greymouth.
And as temperatures drop over the weekend the cold front will move further south bringing severe weather and snowfall to low levels for the Otago and Canterbury regions, the forecaster warned.
"Snow is likely to lower significantly for parts of the lower South Island, including Canterbury, the Southern Lakes and Central Otago regions, giving ski fields some pre-season snow.
"If you are considering some outdoor activity this weekend it would be best to keep up to date with the latest forecast as the weekend approaches," the forecaster said.
Meanwhile WeatherWatch said the Southern Alps will also get snow with more than one metre expected this week.
Low-level snow flurries are also on the cards for Southland and Fiordland with lighter flurries possible down to sea level.
"Heavy snow is expected down to 300 or 400m, maybe lower. Lighter flurries may get right down to sea level, or 100m, but these lower-level flurries look to be more isolated and focused in Southland and Fiordland at this early stage."
Snow at low levels isn't expected to be heavy or settle for long at this stage.
