Heavy rain and snow warnings are in place for much of the lower South Island.
MetService issued orange rain warnings for the Westland district south of Haast from 9am on Thursday until 5am Friday and Fiordland from Doubtful South north from 9am until 6pm today.
Peak hourly rainfall of 15 to 25 millimetres was expected with 130mm to 160mm of rain forecast for Westland and 90mm to 120mm forecast for Fiordland.
People were told to clear their drains and gutters, avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
Heavy snowfall was expected in Southland, north of Lumsden, and Otago from 5pm Thursday until 8am Friday.
MetService said 15 to 25 centimetres of snow was expected to settle 400 metres above sea level with lesser amounts down to 300m.
A heavy snowfall warning was in place for the Canterbury high country south of the Rakaia River for 12 hours from 3am Friday.
Road snowfall warnings were also in place for the alpine roads in the lower South Island.
MetService warned motorists to prepare for snow on State Highway 94-Milford Road from 7pm Thursday and State Highway 8 - Lindis Pass from 9pm.
Snow at Arthur's Pass on 19 August (file image). Photo: Forest & Bird/Geoff Keey
Snow was expected on Porters Pass and Arthurs Pass on State Highway 73 from 7am Friday.
Prepare for snow, cold temperatures, and possible power outages, MetService said.
If people must travel, then drive cautiously, and ensure they had snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and emergency items, it continued.
All the orange warnings came with a minimal chance of being upgraded to red.
The next update would be issued at 9pm.