The first signs of winter will arrive this weekend.
MetService is predicting a cold spell will hit the South Island, with the potential of snow falling to low levels in Otago and Southland.
A wet weekend is predicted in the North Island with some heavy rain and thunder forecast particularly in the Far North.
However, meteorologist, Daniel Corbett, said the cold is not expected to last long and temperatures are set to rise again next week.
Mr Corbett said the system will move east by the end of next week leaving more settled conditions across the country.
