A deep low-pressure system is moving across the country as the school holidays kick off.
Photo: Unsplash / Erik Witsoe
MetService has issued a range of severe weather warnings with the weather system expected to bring significant heavy rain and strong winds to many regions.
Heavy rain warnings and watches are in place for much of the country with places exposed to the north and east the most vulnerable.
Heavier rainfall is forecast to start in Northland this afternoon before spreading south over much of the country today and tomorrow.
MetService meteorologist Amy Rossiter said heavy rainfall may lead to slips and flooding due to the current ground saturation levels.
"With multiple rain events over the last week the ground is already quite saturated in many regions, so even briefly heavy falls could cause flooding and slips, and with strong winds as well, there could be tree fall or power outages."
Meanwhile, the weather system was expected to bring strong winds with potential for severe northeast gales for much of the North Island and western parts of the South Island.
Gusts were expected to reach up to 110kmh in the Auckland region, while 140kmh gusts were forecast to hit Buller and Westland.
Heavy rain was forecast to turn to snow above 300m in inland Canterbury and Otago tomorrow.
A heavy snow warning was in place for these areas with up to 40cm of snow expected in areas above 500 metres, while a greater level of snowfall was expected above 800m.
Rossiter said holiday makers should be cautious travelling through the South Island with road snowfall warnings in place for several mountain passes.
"Those hoping to get outside with the kids this week or to the ski fields in the south will have to wait until the weekend for clear skies when a brief ridge of high pressure moves over the country," Rossiter said.
The wild weather was expected to ease about midweek with the low-pressure system moving to the southeast of the country, however, another low was forecast to hit the country from the north on Thursday.