There is potential for strong rain and wind across much of the country this week, capped off by possible snowfall down to sea level for Fiordland and Southland.
A strong "bitterly cold" southwesterly flow is expected to affect the South Island on Friday.
MetService said it's unlikely that there will be warning amounts of snow, but that it could be enough to affect roads and bring stress to livestock.
A front preceded by a strong moist northwesterly flow is expected to move east onto the south of the South Island on Wednesday.
MetService said there is moderate confidence rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria in Fiordland and a moderate confidence that severe northwesterly gales will affect the Canterbury high country, Otago, Southland and Fiordland.
On Thursday, the front moves over the South Island and onto the lower North Island, bringing high confidence that rainfall could reach warning amounts in Fiordland, Westland, Buller, and the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers.
There is a moderate confidence in severe northwesterly gales for the Canterbury high country and foothills, Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa south of Carterton.
Rainfall could reach warning amounts over the North Island ranges south of Lake Taupo, but this is again low confidence.
Settled weather is expected to again move in as a ridge of high pressure approaches on Saturday.
SHARE ME