Kiwis hoping to enjoy some sun or relax on the beach this weekend are in for a shock as an "explosive" but short-lived storm is expected to hit.
Weather Watch analyst Philip Duncan says an explosive low pressure storm is moving across the Tasman towards New Zealand on Friday night.
"The low will thankfully be at its nastiest out at sea, but it will still hit the country with severe gales, heavy rain and some snow," he said.
Mr Duncan says the weather is very "spring-like" as there is also a risk of sunburn in some areas of the country.
MetService severe rain warnings are in place for the upper South Island, parts of Otago, Canterbury, Mt Taranaki and the Tararua Ranges.
The heaviest rainfall will likely hit Westland where up to 350mm of rain is expected in the Southern Alps, causing significant spillover into the headwaters of the lakes and rivers in Otago and Canterbury. This heavy rain will then move northwest.
Strong winds are expected in inland areas of north Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington, Wairarapa, South Taranaki and Hawke's Bay on Saturday.
The Metservice is calling the storm a "significant rainfall and wind event" and is cautioning residents in affected areas to take caution as rivers and streams may rise rapidly, which could cause slips and flooding.
NZN