Gales and snow on way today

MetService has included the Wanganui region in a severe weather warning it has issued for today.

It is part of a general warning that covers much of the country, from Auckland to Southland, with strong to gale-force southwesterly winds forecast.

As well the weather watchers have warned of snow across the North Island high country, including the Waimarino and Taihape.

A front pushed cold southwesterlies across the country yesterday but it is a second trough arriving today that has MetService worried.

A spokesperson said the winds will reach severe gale-force this afternoon and evening, and bring much colder temperatures with them. Snowfalls are expected down to 800 metres.

Snow is likely to cause disruption in the far south today, especially affecting higher roads.