MetService says there is "moderate confidence" severe gales will affect Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Wairarapa on Thursday.
A front preceded by strong northwesterlies is set to move across the South Island and onto central New Zealand on Thursday, it said.
While showers are currently forecast Thursday for Wellington, Nelson and Masterton, MetService said there was a moderate confidence warning amounts of rain would accumulate in Fiordland, the ranges of Westland and the adjacent headwaters.
MetService said the front is forecast to move northeast across the North Island on Friday and weaken while an active trough moves northeast over the lower South Island.
There was a low confidence the severe northwest gales would affect Wellington and Wairarapa, including the Tararua District. There was also a low confidence severe southwest gales will affect coastal Southland, Clutha and Dunedin.
MetService noted while warning amounts of snow are not expected, there is likely to be snow to low levels over the South Island later in the day.
"The snow may cause disruptions to transport," it said.
On Saturday, a "cold showery southwesterly flow" is forecast to affect much of the country. However, this is set to ease on Sunday as a ridge builds from the west.
MetService said over both days of the weekend, there's "minimal risk" of severe weather.
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