Icy blast heralds the long weekend

The calm will come but not before a vicious storm this weekend.

Wild weather over most of the country today heralds the start of Queen's Birthday weekend, but things should improve for the opening Lions tour match in Rotorua tomorrow night.

"It'll all clear up for the rugby," optimistic weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said yesterday.

His little ray of sunshine came not long after MetService had issued wind, heavy seas and snow warnings for much of New Zealand, starting last night.

"It's another polar outbreak similar to what we had earlier this week," said Mr McDavitt.

A low-pressure system coming out of the Southern Ocean and deepening over the Chatham Islands would bring bitterly cold squally west-to-southwest winds.

Many areas, including Auckland and flood-ravaged Tauranga, could expect to be lashed by gale-force winds punctuated by showers and hail, Mr McDavitt said.

He said the wind gusts should ease off tomorrow, when it would be fine but remain cool.

Winds were expected to ease over the remainder of the holiday weekend.

Snow could affect the Desert Rd in the central North Island today, with all South Island alpine passes.

In South Otago, the Catlins and the Dunedin hills, a combination of heavy snow and wind was likely to produce blizzard-like conditions.

Forecasters warned that these very strong wind gusts could cause damage to trees, powerlines and roofs, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous especially for motorcycles, high-sided vehicles and cars towing caravans.

Western coasts could expect a buffeting from heavy seas, which may also hit the eastern stretch between Wellington and Gisborne.

Mr McDavitt suggested travellers check the latest weather forecasts and take extra care in timing their journeys.

For those visiting the Bay of Plenty to see the Lions tour kick off, the AA has warned drivers not to take roads for granted.

New Zealand roads were narrow and lined with hazards, from shingle on the shoulders to trees close to the seal, AA Bay of Plenty district manager Barry Kidd said.

"No matter how many years you may have been driving, it only takes a few seconds of distraction or inattention to transform a routine trip into a disaster."

Mr Kidd said drivers should always match their speed to the road and conditions, and ensure everyone in the vehicle was properly buckled in.

He reiterated that drivers should check conditions before setting off.