It was a mild start to winter for many in the South this morning, but a taste of the season's harsher conditions is on the way.
MetService said Dunedin was sitting on 16degC at 6am today, but "if that was too warm - you'll get relief this weekend."
The forecaster has issued a raft of severe weather warnings for coming days that cover heavy rain, strong winds and snow in some areas.
The wild weather is because of an unsettled northwest flow lying across central and southern parts of the country, and an embedded front that will move northwards through the area today and early tomorrow.
MetService has orange heavy rain warnings in place for Fiordland and the headwaters of the Otago lakes, from 8am today through until late this evening. Peak rates of 15 to 25mm/h are expected from this afternoon and thunderstorms are possible.
A wide-ranging strong wind watch takes in Central Otago, Clutha, Dunedin, Fiordland, Southern Lakes, Southland and Stewart Is, and further north, Canterbury High Country and Marlborough, from 8am today until 3am tomorrow.
There are also road snow warnings in place for the southern alpine passes.
Friday is expected to be wet across much of the South Island. Calm, cool conditions are expected on Saturday before rain returns to most places on Sunday.
Road snowfall warnings
Lindis Pass (SH8)
Valid: 3 hours from 6:00am Fri 2 Jun to 9:00am Fri 2 Jun
Forecast: Snow showers are likely to affect the road above 800 metres early Friday morning. Expect 1 or 2 cm of snow to settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts to 800 metres. Note, further snow flurries are possible through to Friday evening, but little if any further snow is expected to settle on the road.
Crown Range Road
Valid: 3 hours from 5:00am Fri 2 Jun to 8:00am Fri 2 Jun
Forecast: Snow showers are likely to affect the road above 800 metres early Friday morning. Expect 1 or 2 cm of snow to settle on the road near the summit, with lesser amounts to 800 metres. Note, further snow flurries are possible through to Friday evening, but little if any further snow is expected to settle on the road.
Milford Road (SH94)
Valid: 18 hours from 12:00am Fri 2 Jun to 6:00pm Fri 2 Jun
Forecast: Snow showers are likely above 700 metres on Friday. Expect 3 to 6 cm of snow to settle on the road near the tunnel, with lesser amounts to 700 metres.
Arthurs Pass (SH73)
Valid: 3 hours from 9:00am Fri 2 Jun to 12:00pm Fri 2 Jun
Forecast: Snow flurries may fall near the summit of the road during this time, but little if any snow is expected to settle.