The start of the school holidays will bring "bitterly cold temperatures", wind and rain to large parts of New Zealand.
MetService is warning of strong winds, bitterly cold temperatures and unseasonable frosts in the coming week as New Zealand gets a late winter blast.
A moist northerly flow is bringing bursts of heavy rain to the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and the far north of Gisborne with the rain expected to ease gradually on Sunday morning.
MetService urges Kiwis to stay up to date with forecasts in case any significant changes are made.
It comes as MetService issued a heavy orange rain warning for the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty east and west of Te Puke and Gisborne north of Ruatoria.
MetService said the warnings are in place until Sunday morning with up to 80mm of rain expected to fall on top of what has already fallen in these areas.
"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous," MetService warns.
NIWA said winter-like temperatures and snow are expected to hit the country this week because of "air mass" headed to New Zealand from Antarctica.
Auckland
After a couple of days of heavy rain, Aucklanders will be hoping for some respite, but the rain is expected to continue until late next week when the sun is expected to come out.
MetService is predicting some heavy showers on Sunday for Auckland but it will be a warm 20 degrees.
Hamilton
Hamilton will see a very similar day of weather to Auckland with some heavy afternoon and evening showers with thunderstorms possible but it will be a warm 20 degrees.
The forecast is looking bright from Thursday when locals can expect the sun to come out.
Wellington
The Capital will see a day of rain and strong southerlies to end the weekend with a cold temperature of 10 degrees expected.
It's not meant to get much better on Monday, with occasional rain, clearing by evening with strong southerlies in the afternoon with a high of 11 degrees.
Locals will have to wait until Friday for the start of the fine and sunny weather.
Christchurch
The weather in the South Island looks more promising but residents in Christchurch should expect a cloudy morning with drizzle on Sunday before it clears for fine breaks in the afternoon.
Christchurch can expect fine weather on Monday and Tuesday before the rain comes back on Wednesday and Thursday but improves for the weekend with the sun expected to come out.
Dunedin
Dunedin has the pick of the weather on Sunday with a partly cloudy but sunny day, northeasterlies will develop in the afternoon before dying out in the evening with a high of 12 degrees.
