Winter is expected to make its entrance tomorrow as snow, rain and gales head for the Southern region.
MetService shows a deep low is expected to move eastwards across central New Zealand during Thursday morning, bringing a cold snap.
It will be preceded by a strong and moist northwest flow, then followed by a strong and cold south to southwest flow.
As the low moves away to the east, there is moderate confidence southwest gales will become severe about Stewart Is, Southland, Fiordland and Otago.
Snow showers could drop as low as 300m in the hills of Southland, Fiordland, South Otago, Central Otago and Dunedin on Thursday, Friday and early Saturday, but confidence in it eventuating is low.