Heavy rain watches are in place for Fiordland and Westland south of Otira, with possible thunderstorms in western areas and Stewart Island as well.
These thunderstorms have the potential to bring localised heavy rain of 10mm to 25mm per hour, small hail, strong winds gusting 90km/h to 110km/h and also the possibility of a localised small tornado, mainly to coastal areas.
Northwesterly gales are expected in exposed parts of the Canterbury High Country. Additionally, a cold southwest change behind this front may bring snow down to low levels across the lower South Island, with some heavy falls above 400m.
This watch also covers the likelihood of snow accumulations reaching warning criteria above 400m in Fiordland.
Road snowfall warnings are in place for Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthur's Pass (SH73), Haast Pass (SH6), Lindis Pass (SH8), Crown Range Rd, and Milford Rd (SH94).
On Monday and Tuesday, there is moderate confidence of warning amounts of snow in Fiordland, Southland and parts of Otago above 400 metres.
People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case parts of these watches are upgraded to a full warning or new areas are added.
Today's forecast
• Whangarei: Partly cloudy, a few showers. Northwest picking up evening. High 16C / Low 11C.
• Auckland: Cloud increasing with a few showers, turning to rain tonight. Northwest picking up afternoon. High 16C / Low 11C.
• Tauranga: Partly cloudy. Brisk westerlies. High 16C / Low 10C.
• Hamilton: Showers turning to rain this evening. Brisk westerlies. High 15C / Low 8C.
• New Plymouth: Showers turning to rain afternoon, possibly heavy with thunderstorms from evening. Brisk northwesterlies. High 15C / Low 9C.
• Napier: Fine. Cloudy increasing from afternoon. Gusty northwest. High 18C / Low 8C.
• Palmerston North: Often cloudy. Occasional light rain after midday, setting in at night. Northwesterly picking up. High 14C / Low 8C.
• Wellington: Showers developing about the Hutt Valley this morning, spreading elsewhere from midday. Strong gusty northwesterlies. High 14C / Low 8C.
• Nelson: Partly cloudy, a few afternoon showers. Northwesterlies. High 14C / Low 2C.
• Christchurch: High cloud. Northerlies, gusty in the morning, turning westerly overnight. High 15C / Low 1C.
• Greymouth: Periods of rain, possibly heavy with hail and thunderstorms. Northwesterlies strengthening. High 13C / Low 3C.
• Dunedin: Cloudy, chance morning shower, then becoming fine. Gusty northwesterlies. High 11C / Low 4C.
• Queenstown: Cloudy with occasional rain, then fine spells developing from afternoon. Gusty westerlies easing. High 9C / Low -1C.
• Invercargill: Rain at times. Squally thunderstorms with hail possible from afternoon. Strong westerlies. High 9C / Low 2C.