A storm approaching New Zealand could dump up to 3 metres of snow in places, creating "high" avalanche danger.
MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray said the front would be slowly moving up the country Saturday and through the weekend, bringing a prolonged period of heavy rain, falling as snow above the freezing level. It was also bringing strong, gusty winds.
Mt Cook avalanche forecaster Trev Streat said up to 3m of snow could fall in the upper elevations of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
"This much snow will likely lead to large 'storm slab' avalanches, which have the potential of running all the way to valley floor.
"Trampers and hunters also need to be aware of what dangers exist above them."
Similar conditions were also expected along the Main Divide, including Mt Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park.
Wanaka forecaster Simon Howells said the avalanches could release without warning.
"The message is simple this weekend - stay out of the backcountry."
Some active weather headed for New Zealand 💧
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 5, 2018
A narrow plume of moisture will stretch across the Tasman Sea and move up the country this weekend, bringing rain mainly to western areas. We'll be watching the potential for flooding.
Otherwise, mild in the east & north 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/O8SPnl38Dk
Mountain Safety Council CEO Mike Daisley said people should use common sense.
"This is a good time for folks to stay inside the ski-area boundaries, where the snow-safety teams are actively managing the terrain."
While the northwest flow would fall as snow at upper levels, in other areas it would bump up the winter temperatures and also bring some heavy downpours.
Christchurch was forecast to hit 19C tomorrow.
The North Island is set to escape the worst of the wet weather today and tomorrow, before it kicks in late Sunday.
A ridge of high pressure sitting over the North Island was keeping the weather relatively settled today, MetService meteorologist Bill Singh said.
It was a cold start in some places, with the lowest temperature -4.2C in Waiouru and the Desert Rd. There were also frosts in central and eastern areas.
Auckland and Whangārei were in for a warm winter day with light winds and a high of 15C.
Bit of wind &rain over the next few days with severe weather warning and watches issued. Almost a spring like situation, so no frosts for a while. Some warm temperatures in Canterbury tomorrow, with Christchurch heading to 19°C. https://t.co/qHyE5zhh6X ^Cam pic.twitter.com/KxFcUGoS2o
— MetService (@MetService) July 5, 2018
Most northern spots were in for a similar day, with temperatures in the mid teens.
However, it was a wetter story in the south.
A moist northwest flow was covering the lower South Island, and a series of fronts were passing over the region through tonight, before a more active front arrived Saturday.
Severe weather warnings were in place in Westland and Fiordland to Saturday morning, with up to 350mm rain forecast in some places.
The active front would move over the South Island Saturday, bringing rain and showers to most areas, before arriving in the North Island with showers late in the day.
Auckland, Northland, Gisborne and the east coast would be sheltered from the initial effects, however showers were forecast Saturday through Wellington, Taranaki, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Our latest Severe Weather Outlook is now available. Check it out for the most up to date severe weather. https://t.co/ePtVj8cXwp
— MetService (@MetService) July 5, 2018
^Tui pic.twitter.com/U0cgIQsMhq
These showers would turn to rain Sunday, and start to hit the upper North Island by the evening.
"As the trough moves north late Sunday there will be a boost of heavy rain," Singh said.
The warm 🌡️🌡️🌡️
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 4, 2018
From January-June 2018, record or near-record high mean monthly temps were reached a staggering 163 times.
During the same period, there were just 3 record or near-record low mean monthly temps.
That's a ratio of 1 cold extreme for every 54 warm ones. pic.twitter.com/TrT28GPa2N
In Auckland and Northland there could be heavy falls Sunday night into Monday.
"The front will be followed by an unstable westerly flow, so a showery start to next week," Singh said.
Cloudy periods, chance shower. Light winds. 15C high, 6C overnight.
Fine. Light winds. 15C high, 7C overnight.
Fine, apart from morning frosts or fog. Light winds. 13C high, 1C overnight.
Fine with light winds. 14C high, 5C overnight.
New Plymouth A fine morning, then cloud and northwesterlies from afternoon. 14C high, 9C overnight.
Napier Fine, morning frosts. Light winds. 14C high, 4C overnight.
Wellington Mainly fine, clouding up towards evening. Northwesterlies picking up. 13C high, 11C overnight.
Nelson A fine day, then becoming cloudy in the evening. Northerlies developing morning. 14C high, 5C overnight.
Christchurch Thick high cloud. Northerlies. 14C high, 6C overnight.
Dunedin Thick high cloud, with light rain from afternoon. Northerlies gradually strengthening. 13C high, 9C overnight.