Much of the country could expect strong winds and "unsettled" conditions this weekend, according to MetService.
A very strong west to southwest flow will develop over the country on Saturday, then eases during Sunday.
The forecaster issued strong wind watches for Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Edgecombe, Hawke's Bay south of Wairoa, the Tararua District, Tasman District west of Motueka and Dunedin, Clutha, Southland south of Gore, and Stewart Island from Saturday.
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats told Breakfast there would be some rain bands moving over the upper north and south islands today.
"We've got a very fast moving, but weakening cold front heading up the South Island, so we've kind of got it coming from both ends."
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She said the "very active" and unsettled weather would continue into the weekend.
"We've got a lot of thunderstorms. We've already had quite a few sparks overnight, especially for the upper north. But that's going to continue today with some downpours that'll be squally. There'll be very strong wind gusts as well," she said.
She said this could mean a “headache” for Auckland commuters toward the end of the day.
“But the risk for thunderstorms today is just pretty much kind of everywhere.
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She said looking to the weekend there were strong westerlies with southwest and westerly flows forecast.
"We get fast fronts that kind of race over the country. And that's kind of what we're going to have this weekend.
"Still quite a few showers around, a little bit of snow to the higher passes in the South Island, but wind's going to be the theme for the weekend, very windy."
West to southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, the forecaster said.
There was also a "moderate" chance of strong wind watches being upgraded to warning level, or new areas added.
NZTA said snow would be likely to cause more travel disruption across the central and lower South Island this weekend, with fresh falls expected on several highways.
MetService forecast up to 8cm of snow on Lewis Pass (SH7), 5cm on Arthur’s Pass (SH73), and snow likely near Aoraki-Mount Cook (SH80).
Lindis Pass and the Crown Range Rd could get up to 6 cn, while Milford Road (SH94) may get up to 15cm near Homer Tunnel.
State Highway 94 would be closed at 5pm today between Hollyford Rd Junction and Donne River Bridge, reopening around midday tomorrow.
Weather watches and warnings
Strong Wind Watch
Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Edgecombe - 14 hours from 1pm Saturday.
Hawke's Bay south of Wairoa, and the Tararua District - 20 hours from 10am Saturday.
Tasman District west of Motueka - 21 hours from 9am Saturday.
Dunedin, Clutha, Southland south of Gore, and Stewart Island - nine hours from 8am to 5pm Saturday.
Road Snowfall Warning
Crown Range Road - two hours from 10am today.
Milford Road (SH94) - four hours from 8am to midday today.
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