Snow warning for Desert road

File photo of snow on Desert road. Photo / Christine Cornege

It might be winter but Auckland locals still have a chance to hang their washing out to dry this weekend - as long as they keep an eye out for rain.

Philip Duncan of Weather watch said unusually mild temperatures for this time of year were expected over the weekend in Auckland, with highs of 15 and 16 predicted.

However cloud cover and sporadic showers were a reminder that summer was long gone.

"I think you could definitely hang your washing out over the weekend, as long as you watch out for showers," Mr Duncan said.

Further down the country it was a completely different story, with MetService predicting snow fall on the Desert Road late this afternoon.

There was already a road snow warning in place, said forecaster Rob Kerr.

"Between 4 and 8pm today 1 to 2cm of snow is expected to fall.

"There will be a dusting on most of the Desert Road."

An active feature coming onto the lower North Island from the south west was responsible for bringing the bad weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms predicted around Mt Taranaki and Palmerston North.

In higher areas, the temperature drop meant snow - good news for eager skiers.

Down south, MetService predicted strong winds, especially on the Southland and Otago coast.

A severe weather watch was already in place in those areas.

"MetService meteorologists advising that wind may rise to severe gale force during Thursday night through into Saturday," MetService said.