It's looking like it will be a wet end to the week for much of the country, with a low-pressure system on its way across the Tasman.
The low will bring heavy rain for many places, with the Metservice warning of a heavy rain watch for Fiordland until 11pm Thursday, and Gisborne and Northland on Friday.
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Snow is also forecast for inland Canterbury and Otago over the weekend, with the possibility of more severe weather watches being added.
Metservice meteorologist Claire Nickson says the low will turn winds easterly over Canterbury and Otago.
"The onshore winds will bring rain to these areas, with snow levels lowering early on Saturday. There is a possibility of heavy snow above 400 metres for inland Canterbury and Otago, with smaller amounts possible at lower levels."
Once the low moves north, Fiordland will have the driest weather for the weekend, though rain is expected for most other parts of the country.
Heavy falls are possible in Buller as well as parts of the upper North Island.
The unstable weather has been caused by "a complex set up" as various lows merge, according to Weatherwatch, which stressed, "it will be moving away from New Zealand as it deepens, not towards us".
"However, as it departs it will dredge up a windy, polar change for parts of the lower South Island."
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