A series of fronts is set to bring stormy weather to much of the country over the next few days, with heavy rain, high winds and snow to low levels in the south.
MetService is forecasting up to 300 millimetres of rain for the west coast and Southern Alps on Thursday night and Friday - swelling the headwaters of lakes and rivers in Otago and Canterbury.
It also warns of possible snowfall down to 300 metres in Otago.
Heavy rain is forecast on Friday in the Nelson lakes area and Tararua Ranges, with warnings of slips and flooding.
Strong north-west winds are forecast for the next two days in inland Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa.
