MetService is advising South Otago and Southland residents to batten down the hatches as gale force winds up to 100kmh are expected to hit the region over night.
A rare low so large it's likely to cover both Australia and New Zealand is expected this week, and heavy rain is forecast to fall on both countries on Thursday.
Much of the country will wake up to sunny skies today -- and it's good news for those hoping for a bright long weekend, as the sunshine is forecast to last through to early next week.
Despite a harshly quick descent into winter weather that many around the country would have uncomfortably noticed, temperatures across the cold season aren't predicted to be too bitter.
The Otago Regional Council says it will be monitoring river levels over the weekend, with heavy rain forecast for Dunedin and other parts of the region.