The golden weather that's bathed many parts of the country in sunshine this week isn't sticking around, with an active cold front expected to move in on Saturday.
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the South Island, with heavy rain expected to hit Fiordland and Westland.
Severe gales are forecast to affect inland Southland, Otago and Canterbury.
"Like many active cold fronts, this front is an event of two parts," MetService media and communication meteorologist Daniel Corbett says.
"Ahead of it, there's rain in western places and strong north-westerlies in eastern places," he says.
"Following the front, there's rain in eastern places and a cold southerly change."
The southerly will make its way across much of the country on Saturday.
"It's a pretty cold change for the time of year, with snow possibly falling down to around 300m in Southland, Otago and Canterbury," Mr Corbett says.
"After recent mild weather, it may come as a bit of a shock."
NZN