Kiwis are being warned to brace themselves for a "stark" change in the weather, with a cold front set to bring "meaty" and "chunky" showers.
It comes after New Zealand has seen Australian heat blast over the past few days, according to NIWA.
This has seen temperatures surge around the country into the mid-to-high 20s, with Hanmer Springs the hottest place on Wednesday recording 27C.
But that's all about to change as a cold front moves across central New Zealand on Friday, according to MetService.
The forecasting agency said a low-pressure system is expected to develop northeast of East Cape from late Friday, bringing a strong and humid south-to-southeast flow to Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Heavy rain should develop during Friday and continue through to Sunday.
MetService meteorologist Thapi Makgabutlane told Newshub New Zealand is going to see a "stark" change in the weather over the next 24 hours.
"The key thing is because we've had a warm week and quite warm temperatures, especially yesterday and today, this cold front is bringing in a blast of cold air. So that difference will be quite stark and very noticeable," Makgabutlane said on Thursday.
She said the temperatures are set to plummet, especially in the South Island, going from mid-to-high-20s on Thursday to the low teens on Friday.
It's not just the South Island that will see temperatures drop, the North Island will also be in the firing line on Friday and into the weekend.
"For the North Island, it actually comes in during Friday as that cold front moves up and behind it is where we see that cold air," she said.
"So, we're expecting that cold front to cross Wellington very early in the morning. So, I think tomorrow is one of those days where the maximum temperature is actually expected very early in the day, whereas the rest of the day is actually expected to be quite cold."
Makgabutlane said Kiwis can expect that cold front to bring very strong winds and periods of rain she described as "quite meaty and "chunky".
She believes most of New Zealand will feel the effects of the cold front but the lower North Island, eastern South Island and the Napier and Gisborne area are expected to bear the brunt of the bad weather.
"All along that eastern South Island, I think it'll be the dramatic, very sharp and rapid change in weather, that'll be quite noticeable," she said.
This has seen MetService issue a strong wind watch for Wellington, eastern Marlborough Sounds and the Kaikoura Coast on Friday.
A heavy rain watch is also in place for Hawke's Bay north of Napier and Gisborne from 1pm on Friday until at least 9am on Sunday.
But MetService warns the watch is likely to be upgraded to a rain warning for a period from midday on Saturday to Sunday morning.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: Hawke's Bay north of Napier and Tairawhiti/Gisborne
Period: 44hrs from 1pm Fri, 24 Nov - 9am Sun, 26 Nov
Forecast: Rain with heavy falls is expected to develop during Friday and continue into Sunday morning. This Watch is likely to be upgraded to an Orange Rain Warning Friday morning for a period from midday Saturday to Sunday morning.
Strong Wind Watch
Area: Wellington, Eastern Marlborough Sounds and the Kaikoura Coast
Period: 9hrs from 2pm - 11pm Fri, 24 Nov
Forecast: Southerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
