There is a significant blast of weather crossing the country over the next few days with gales move up the South Island and into the North Island over the weekend and heavy rain continuing off and on all weekend and into Monday on the western side of the nation.

These maps below help break down the expected rain and snow over the coming days.

The weekend, for the most part, is warmer than average but a colder change moves in to the South Island later on Sunday. Across Monday it extends further across the country turning rain to snow in the ranges/mountains and high country and dropping temperatures.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz