Summer's just around the corner but the weather has other plans on Thursday as warnings for heavy rain, snow and severe gale northwesterlies are in place across New Zealand.
MetService has issued wind warnings Thursday morning.
Hawke's Bay is forecast to have strong west-to-northwest winds reaching severe gale force in exposed places and lasting until Friday morning.
The Tararua District, Marlborough and Canterbury regions will be hit by gale northwesterly winds from 9'o'clock Thursday morning until 6'o'clock Friday evening.
At the same time a heavy snow watch is in place for Otago, Clutha, Southland, Stewart Island and Fiordland Thursday night until mid morning Friday.
Further severe winds are forecast to hit these areas from 8'o'clock Thursday until lunch time Friday.
Snow is expected to fall to sea level and the amount of snowfall may approach warning criteria in areas 300metres above.
MetService head of weather communications Lisa Murray spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
