A late spring blast is set to hit New Zealand next week with strong westerly winds and wet conditions expected across the country.
"An active jet stream pattern will return next week, particularly to the South Island," warned forecaster NIWA.
Graphics shared by NIWA suggested that stream causing wet weather in the west of the country. It would be a mixed bag, however, with the north and east set for warm conditions "at times".
A heavy rain warning was in place for Fiordland from Sunday morning until at least 1pm on Monday.
But MetService said heavy rain could also move onto the Otago and Canterbury regions.
"There is low confidence of warning amounts of rain into the Otago headwaters on Monday," the forecaster said in its severe weather outlook.
"In addition, confidence is moderate for northwest winds becoming severe in exposed parts of Fiordland and Southland on Sunday and early Monday, and low confidence for the Canterbury High Country during Monday."
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the front was expected to move across the North Island.
"The busy weather pattern means temperatures are especially changeable in New Zealand and Australia over the coming week," WeatherWatch said.
Auckland has been told to expect showers from Tuesday, with rain and westerly winds developing on Wednesday.
In better news, this weekend was expected to mostly settled - with light winds and sunny skies.
