The weather system hitting New Zealand, as seen in a satellite image released by MetService today. Photo: Supplied / MetService
A heavy rain watch is in place for parts of North Canterbury and the lower North Island.
MetService said the miserable weather was being brought on by southwest winds spreading across the country in the coming days.
Heavy rain fell over Marlborough and Wellington today, and while a quieter, cooler day is expected tomorrow, there are several heavy rain watches in place overnight.
One of the watches covers Canterbury north of Amberley, including the Kaikōura District, and is in place from 8pm tonight until 4am tomorrow.
Another watch covering Wellington, Porirua, Hutt and Upper Hutt Cities and the Kāpiti Coast District is set to last from 8pm until 7am, with the possibility of thunderstorms and localised heavy falls of more than 25mm per hour, which will cause surface flooding if it occurs over an urban area.
MetService is also warning of heavy swells in that area tomorrow afternoon.
A road snowfall warning for the Lewis Pass (SH7) has been lifted.
MetService had earlier said snow could develop near the summit this evening, with the possibility of up to 1cm of snow accumulating on the road above 900 metres this evening and early Thursday morning.