File photo. Photo: 123RF
The west of the North Island could face wind gusts of up to 100kph, with a chance of thunderstorms also threatening Monday.
MetService said there was a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms from Northland to Taranaki, while eastern Bay of Plenty could be hit with heavy rain this evening.
It comes as a front moves east across northern and central New Zealand, followed by an unstable westerly flow.
Wind gusts between 80 and 100kph was expected during this evening's commute from Northland to Taranaki, MetService said.
A cold was also expected to move onto southern parts of the country later in the day, with a low risk of thunderstorms for southern Fiordland, and coastal areas of Southland, Clutha and Dunedin.
Small hail was also likely, MetService said.
Snowfall warnings are in place for South Island alpine passes and inland roads.
The Transport Agency warned motorists to prepare for disruption with snow already falling in some places, and frost and ice likely in coming days.
Warnings are already in effect on State Highway 85 from Ranfurly to Becks in Central Otago, and on State Highway 94 in Southland from Mossburn to Te Anau and Te Anau to Milford Sound.
About 10cm of snow was forecast to fall on Porters Pass above 600m tomorrow morning and parts of State Highway 73 could be closed as a result.
Snow was also expected to fall on inland Canterbury above 300m Tuesday morning.
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