Weather forecast: Mixed bag predicted for the week after freezing start

A mixed bag of "New Zealandish" weather will roll over the country after a freezing start to the week.

Kiwis will see frosts, fine spells, light winds, gales and rain, with most places seeing both dry and wet weather, MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said.

"[The weather] will be New Zealandish. It's a New Zealand winter week. Nice fine spells and clear skies then we've got cooler temperatures, strong winds and rain.

"We've got a bit of everything this week. Don't be too upset if you can't go outside in the sunshine every day. But that's what happens."

Motorists are urged to take care on icy Canterbury and Otago roads including State Highway 8, SH80, Inland Route 70, SH87, SH94 and SH83.

It's been a sunny weekend but... More weather on the way, starting in the west but lingering in the east afterwards. Never a dull week! ^TA pic.twitter.com/5kfUBz3Lkm

— MetService (@MetService) July 30, 2017

A severe weather warning for heavy rain has been issued for Fiordland and the west coast of the South Island tomorrow morning with up to 120mm falling within 15 hours. Freezing level is around 1700m. Monday would also see northerly gales gusting up to 100km/h, Adams said.

On Tuesday the front moves over the Buller region, Kapiti Coast and Taranaki, bringing heavy rain.

Wednesday will see the most widespread wet weather with most places north of Christchurch getting rain.

The wet weather system will roll off the country to the east which will see rain in the bottom half of the North Island and showers on the east coast of the South Island on Thursday.

Adams said Friday would see the tail end of the front leave the country with a few showers in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.

He said Auckland would have a nice dry week with the only showers lasting from Tuesday night and through Wednesday.

"We've got it all - we've got cold temperatures, we've got wind, we've got rain."

But it was looking like it would clear up by next weekend, Adams said.