Snow, heavy showers and hail are expected during the weekend - with forecasters predicting icy weather to send temperatures plummeting for New Zealand's coldest weekend of the year yet.
The MetService says a cold outbreak is expected over the South Island on Sunday, and snow may fall to 300-400m. There is a chance of heavy snow about the hills and ranges on Sunday and early Monday.
Weather Watch analyst Richard Green said snow was expected to fairly low levels across Otago, Southland, the Canterbury foothills and Banks Peninsula.
North Islanders would feel the brunt of the bad weather on Sunday, with westerly flows expecting to bring showers across the western and northern districts.
"It's easy to forget that Saturday will actually see some wet stuff over the upper north but further south it'll be quite warm in the east with the 20s more than a possibility", Mr Green said.
"But often when the thermometer is above 20 degrees at this time of year it's what follows that can make some people nervous as a wintry spell tends to follow."
Temperatures today for many centres will be on the coolish side before warming up over a number of regions tomorrow, he said.
Senior Sergeant Phil Newton of the Canterbury Highway Patrol said road users should drive to the conditions and increase thefollowing distances.
"Winter weather dramatically increases the chances of having a crash - especially if drivers have lapses in concentration," he says.
Drivers should also ensure they have an unobstructed view through their windscreens and windows by clearing ice and condensation.
"I have already seen one driver leaning out of his side window while driving in an attempt to get good visibility," he says. "The stupidity of some people to place themselves and other road users in danger of having a crash is amazing."
