Focus: Families tried to make the most of the school holiday snow at Tūroa ski area. Video / Alan Gibson
Massive 15-metre waves are expected to hit parts of the South Island, as rough wintry conditions head towards the country today.
WeatherWatch says a Southern Ocean storm is "pouncing'' the area - bringing waves of up to 15m high to the south west, as well as heavy snow, hail, isolated thunder and severe gales.
"The rough West Coast lives up to its name with highly dangerous beach and marine conditions across the next 72 hours at least,'' a statement said just before 8.30am.
Boaties and anyone keen on fishing on the rocks are being told to stay home until at least Tuesday because conditions are too dangerous.
A windy surge is heading towards the country today and weather experts warn it will only be the start of a wintry blast that will make for a wet, windy and cold weekend.
A storm in the Southern Ocean is rushing towards New Zealand and will hit the South Island today before breaking up over the North Island tonight and tomorrow.Farmers in the lower part of the South Island are being warned that wind chills over the next few days will be "brutal'' in Southland, Otago and parts of the West Coast.
WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said: "The wind chill will be significant on Friday in the lower South Island. If you have newborn lambs and calves, just be aware this is going to be a brutal wind chill for you - well below zero, minus fours, minus fives as we head into Friday night."
Most of the rain is forecast on the West Coast, he said, while snow falls will hit right down to sea level in Milford Sounds.
"Fiordland is really getting hammered by this southerly change,'' said.
Referring to yet "another'' cold blast over the country, he said this weekend's conditions will be even colder than what we have experienced in the last few weeks and many places would see a big temperature drop again this weekend and early next week.
"The coldest of the air isn't until Sunday,'' Duncan said.
"This is sort of the precursor.''
Aucklanders can expect a high of 15C today and an overnight low of 10C. Fine spells and isolated showers are forecast before rain comes in this afternoon and this evening.
Gusts of up to 80km/h are forecast in the City of Sails this evening.
Whāngārei gets a few showers today before they become frequent early this evening. Gusty southwesterlies are expected there also; as is a high of 16C and overnight low of 9C.
Napier is also in for a very windy day, as is New Plymouth - the latter of which will see a lot of rain - possibly heavy - this afternoon.
Wellington has a high of 13C and showers, maybe heavy, are forecast by about midday.
Further south, Nelson is in for a few showers too. A high of 11C is forecast and an overnight low of 4C.
Those in Christchurch will also need umbrellas, with rain developing this afternoon and possible gusts of up to 100km/h.
Strong gusts of up to 90km/h are also expected in Dunedin and the same is forecast in Queenstown, which will get a cold 9C high and overnight low of 0C.
Heavy rain and snow is also on the cards for southern parts of the country.
"An active cold front is forecast to move quickly eastwards across New Zealand [today] - bringing a change to strong southwesterlies; while an associated deep low also moves eastwards past the south of the South Island,'' the MetService said.
"People are advised to keep up-to-date with the latest warnings and watches in case any changes are made or other areas are added.
We're in for severe wind gusts tomorrow-gales expected to hit up to 120 km/h in exposed places between 9am & pm. These gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures - tie that trampoline down now. If walking, running, or exploring the district - please stay alert. pic.twitter.com/Lf6v0N7R1g
Parts of the South Island are expected to be hit with severe gales and high winds - gusting up to 120km/h in exposed places such as Fiordland, Southland and the Southern Lakes.
Those winds have the potential to bring down powerlines and cause damage to properties, so people are being encouraged to stay alert.
"Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles,'' the MetService said.
Guts of up to 120km/h are also forecast in exposed parts of Otago.
A number of major routes, particularly in the South Island and central North Island, may be affected by the weather conditions today and over the weekend.
SH94 TE ANAU TO MILFORD - ROAD CLOSED - SNOW - 5:45PM THU 1 AUG
Due to forecast heavy snow overnight and through tomorrow this road is CLOSED.
