You might be on a day off, but the weather sure ain’t; heavy rain, strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures are on the way as a “wintry cold snap” looms.
“Heavy snow, rainfall, powerful winds, and plunging temperatures will hit the South Island with a low and southerly change,” Niwa Weather said.
“After such a warm October, this cold snap will feel like quite a shock.”
The North Island is also in the firing line, prompting the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to warn those travelling through northern Taranaki on parts of State Highways 3 and 4 later today to consider bringing their trip forward.
🌧️🌬️❄️Significant storm to impact much of New Zealand on Labour Day.
— MetService (@MetService) October 25, 2025
As an active low pressure system moves across Aotearoa New Zealand from the Tasman Sea during Labour Day and Tuesday.
🟡🟠Warnings, Watches in force.
Details herehttps://t.co/qHyE5zzql5@NZcivildefence… pic.twitter.com/1iMayTDB3O
Between 60mm and 90mm of rain is forecast, with the potential for up to 130mm of rainfall, which could cause more flooding and slips - more quickly than anticipated given higher-than-usual river levels and sodden land after earlier rainfall, NZTA Taranaki and Manawatū/Whanganui system manager Liesl Dawson said.
Dawson urged motorists to drive to the conditions and be alert to the possibility of more flooding, slips, debris and tree branches on the road, and to keep an eye on NZTA’s Journey Planner “as short notice closures may be a possibility”.
“The road is open but people need to be prepared for extensive delays. SH3 near Awakino and SH4 near Taumarunui have seen a lot of rainfall over the past fortnight.
“Please take extra care; and consider moving your trip forward to avoid the forecast rain. If you are travelling on these roads, please also expect significant delays as many areas remain under stop/go traffic management as crews continue the cleanup from the past fortnight.“
Monday's emojicast:
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) October 26, 2025
🌧️
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🌧️🌧️
🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️
🌧️🌧️🌧️☁️
🌧️🌧️☁️
🌧️🌧️
🌧️
🌧️🌦
🌧️🌧️
🌧️🌧️🌧️ ☁️
🌨️🌧️
🌧️🌨️🌧️
🌧️🌧️🌧️
☁️
MetService forecaster Josh Griffin told the Herald a complex trough from the Tasman Sea would move across New Zealand today.
“We are expecting some heavy rain in the western parts of the South Island,” he said.
“Pretty much everywhere in the country is going to get some rain or showers.”
While the bulk of the heavy rain would miss Northland and Auckland, Griffin predicted there’d still be some from late afternoon onwards.
“There is also a risk for thunderstorms, particularly around parts of Northland, in the evening,” he told the Herald.
Northland is under heavy rain and strong wind watches overnight from 10pm.
There’s a moderate chance of thunderstorms across much of the western North Island and north-western South Island later today, and in the top half of the North Island before dawn tomorrow.
A swathe of other wind, rain, snow and swell warnings and watches have been issued across the country from eastern Bay of Plenty to Otago.
A heavy rain warning is in place for the ranges of the Westland District north of Haast until 10pm, where up to 150mm of rain is forecast to fall on top of what has already fallen.
Heavy rain warnings are forecast to come into force this morning for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers, and much of the western top half of the South Island and the Richmond and Bryant Ranges from this morning until late this evening.
A heavy rain watch is in place for North Otago this afternoon and evening.
In the North Island, heavy rain warnings begin from this afternoon until early tomorrow morning for Taranaki Maunga, the Tararua Ranges and the central North Island hill country from southern Waikato to Tongariro National Park.
Wintry cold snap incoming 🥶
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) October 25, 2025
Heavy snow, rainfall, powerful winds, and plunging temperatures will hit the South Island tomorrow with a low and southerly change.
After such a warm Oct, this cold snap will feel like quite a shock.
On Tue, this chill spreads over the North Island pic.twitter.com/b47UMxlQzH
A heavy rain warning has also been issued for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty overnight to 4pm tomorrow.
Severe gale northerlies and northwesterlies have also prompted MetService to issue wind warnings for Wellington, Wairarapa, Tararua District and Marlborough - from Cape Campbell north - from this afternoon until around midnight.
Chatham Islanders are also being warned of severe gale northwesterlies from midnight to 9am.
Damaging gusts could reach up to 120km/h in all affected areas, and up to 130km/h in exposed parts of Wellington, MetService said.
“Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures [is] possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.”
Those on the water are also being warned of heavy swells expected on the Kāpiti-Porirua Coast - Ōtaki to Cape Terawhiti overnight from 6pm.
Strong wind watches are also in place across large parts of the North and South Islands today, including Taranaki, Taihape and Whanganui, Nelson and Tasman, Kāpiti, Canterbury high country north of SH73, Marlborough south of Cape Campbell, Christchurch and parts of eastern Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti.
MetService has issued a heavy snow warning for the Canterbury high country south of SH73, Queenstown Lakes District from Wānaka north and Central Otago from Ranfurly north this afternoon and evening, MetService said.
Parts of Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago not covered by the warning are under a heavy snow watch.
“Expect 10 to 15 cm of snow to settle above 500 metres, but 20 to 30cm above 800 metres about the Mackenzie Basin and northern parts of Otago.”
There are road snowfall warnings for South Island alpine roads and highways throughout today and in some cases through to tomorrow morning, and in the case of SH7’s Lewis Pass until 6pm tomorrow.
In the North Island, snow showers are forecast to lower to 800m on the Desert Rd (SH1) tomorrow afternoon.
Information on road closures or restrictions is available on NZTA’s Journey Planner.
Griffin said there was a risk of flooding in the areas under heavy rain warnings.
“Since we have had the heavy rain in the last week, some of the ground is already going to be saturated,” he said.
“There will be a potential for surface flooding or streams and rivers to rise rapidly as well.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) is urging people to “be extra vigilant” and delay their long-weekend travel plans if needed.
Chief executive Dave Gawn said “it’s essential that people factor [the warnings] into their travel plans”.
“Plan your journeys, pack extra supplies in case you get stranded, and if it’s looking really hairy, consider delaying your travel if you can.”
Gawn said councils, Civil Defence, emergency services and government agencies across the country are working together to coordinate a response.
It includes the National Crisis Management Centre being called in to the Beehive to assist with response and recovery efforts.
Wellington City Council has urged residents to stay away from the forested areas of the Town Belt and other parks and reserves where there are tall trees.
This follows the death of specialist GP Richard Tyler, who was hit by a falling branch while walking at Mt Victoria during last week’s storms.
The council said winds could damage trees, power lines, and unsecured structures, while driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
“There’s an increased risk that trees or branches may come down.
“Begonia House in the Botanic Garden will be closed [today] as a safety precaution.”
Griffin said the worst conditions would pull away and the weather would begin to ease tomorrow.
“On Tuesday, there will be some remnants of the complex trough affecting parts of the North Island.
“As that feature pulls off to the east tomorrow, as we go into Wednesday, there will be a minimal risk of severe weather.”
However, Niwa warns the chill will spread over the North Island on Tuesday.
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