Wild weather is battering much of the country on Friday with several heavy rain and snow warnings in place.
Heavy rain and gales are expected for much of the North Island and western South Island with heavy snow expected in Otago and South Canterbury.
"A large trough of low pressure is expected to move across New Zealand during Friday, bringing strong to gale north to northeast winds, and heavy rain to western and northern parts of both islands," MetService said.
The forecaster warned "this could be a significant weather event" and urged people to keep up to date with the latest warnings.
"As the trough remains over New Zealand for several days, more areas will probably be added to the watch or warning," it said.
An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the Bay of Plenty east of Opotiki, and the ranges of Gisborne north of Ruatoria. The wild weather is expected to last until midnight tonight with between 80 to 120mm of rain forecast to fall.
MetService warned heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly and surface flooding and slips are possible. The worst of the rain is expected to hit on Friday afternoon and evening.
Meanwhile Tasman west of Motueka is under a heavy rain warning with possible thunderstorms likely on Friday evening. MetService said 70 to 90mm of rain is expected.
The ranges of Westland south of Otira are also under a heavy rain warning with thunderstorms possible tonight.
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Tongariro National Park and the Tararua Range are all under a heavy rain watch with wild weather expected to batter the areas for much of the day.
Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula are also under a watch with heavy rain, potentially approaching warning criteria, forecast until this afternoon.
Auckland has escaped any warnings or watches but can expect rain, sometimes heavy until late afternoon. Rain and northerlies are expected again in the evening.
A strong wind watch is in place for South Taranaki, inland Whanganui and Taihape. Northerlies approaching severe gales are expected in exposed places.
Meanwhile down south the Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River is under an orange heavy snow warning. MetService said heavy snow could disrupt travel and damage trees and powerlines. The forecaster also warned the cold weather could cause distress for livestock.
"Rain is expected to turn to snow above about 400 metres for a time on Friday morning with some heavy falls. The largest snow accumulations are expected above about 700 metres, especially about the Mackenzie Basin. Expect 10 to 15 cm of snow above 700 metres, with 5 to 10 cm down to 400 metres," MetService said.
The Queenstown Lakes District is under a snow watch on Friday.
"Rain is expected to turn to snow above about 400 metres for a time Friday morning, with some heavy falls above about 700 metres where accumulations may approach warning criteria," the forecaster said.
Road snowfall warnings are also in place for Arthur's Pass (SH73), Porters Pass (SH73), Lindis Pass (SH8) and the Crown Range Road.
