MetService is forecasting rain for most of the country from Saturday with snow falling to 400 metres in Otago and Southland and on mountain passes on Sunday.
Forecaster John Law says the bad weather will last at least until the middle of next week and is due to a low from the Tasman Sea and a southerly front heading up from the Southern Ocean.
Senior Sergeant Phil Newton of the Canterbury Highway Patrol says the long, dry summer may have made drivers complacent and they should take care to adapt their driving to wet conditions.
He says drivers should pay particular attention to following distances and make sure their windscreen wipers, lights and brakes are in good condition.
