Beware the cold snap: Brace yourselves for snow, wind and rain

Prepare yourself for a cold snap.

WeatherWatch said mild weather conditions for much of the country today would soon be replaced with cold, wind, rain and snow for some areas.

The South Island would be the most exposed to the cold with snow predicted for the ranges and single-digit temperatures for some towns including a high of eight degrees for Queenstown and Wanaka early next week.

Dunedin had a chance of a "dusting" of snow on the hills, WeatherWatch said.

Canterbury will be more wet than cold but snow was possible through Arthur's Pass and other alpine areas.

First the rain clouds, then the snow clouds as a southerly change approaches #NewZealand (+4 Maps) https://t.co/o9xF3jimah via @weatherwatchnz #weather

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) April 6, 2018

In the North Island drivers were warned the Desert Rd could see snow on Wednesday, with the high in Waiouru expected to be a chilly five degrees on the same day.

In Wellington temperatures were predicted to peak at 13 degrees mid-week, with rain and southerlies expected.

Auckland's temperatures were expected to drop to a high of 16 degrees on Wednesday with a low of just 11 degrees overnight, with rain forecast.

And in Hawke's Bay Wairoa will plummet from a warm 30 degrees seen this week to 15 degrees on Wednesday.

Main centre weekend forecasts

Whangarei
Fine breaks with showers and a high of 23C on Saturday. On Sunday party cloudy with chance of a shower.

Auckland
Saturday fine breaks, and chance of evening shower. 23C. Sunday fine.

Hamilton
Fine breaks, but an afternoon shower or two. Southwesterlies and a high of 23C. Sunday fine day with southwesterly breezes.

Tauranga
Fine, but chance evening shower or two. Southwesterly breezes with a high of 25C. Cloudy periods, and a morning shower or two on Sunday.

Wellington
Showers with a late morning southerly change that are clearing late afternoon. A high of 18C. Fine apart from morning and evening cloud on Sunday.

Christchurch
Cloudy with a few showers, becoming fine by afternoon. Southerlies dying out around midday. A high of 16C. Fine with high cloud and rain developing at night on Sunday.

Dunedin
A few late morning showers, then fine. Cloud returning evening. Westerlies and a high of 15C. On Sunday rain developing afternoon, clearing evening.

Queenstown
Fine, apart from morning and evening cloud. Light winds and a high of 16C. Cloud thickening and occasional afternoon rain on Sunday.