The school holidays will end on a wet, cold and snowy note as another significant low pressure system moves in from the Tasman Sea.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the forecast heavy snow means major roads may close and is advising holidaymakers returning home to prepare alternate routes.

Highways most at risk will be those around northern Canterbury and inland Marlborough, the Desert Road, the Napier-Taupo highway, the Napier-Taihape highway and possibly State Highway 2 over the Rimutaka Ranges.

10 severe weather warnings have been issued by government forecaster MetService ahead of the snow storm.

The warnings will be of concern to farmers still dealing with lambing.   The warnings are for northern Canterbury and Marlborough where heavy snow may fall as low as 200 metres, while in the North Island heavy snow may fall to 600 metres.  Surrounding regions may also be exposed to snow. 

Click here for the latest official weather warnings.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the timing is terrible with school holidays coming to a close and families returning home.  “We’re advising motorists to be aware of the conditions before setting out as snow may close state highways in both islands during Friday and Saturday”.

The snow storm on Sunday in the North Island trapped several hundred motorists with the blizzard quickly taking travellers by surprise.

“At this stage the MetService warnings don’t seem as severe for the North Island but conditions will be very wet and at higher altitudes very snowy” says Mr Duncan. 

Strong southerly winds on Saturday may also create blizzard conditions on the Desert Road and WeatherWatch.co.nz suggests motorists have alternate routes in place in case of road closures.

A similar pattern to last Sunday is responsible for the upcoming weather with a large low pressure system crossing the North Island over the weekend while a cold southerly moves up the South Island.

Single digit highs are expected for most South Island main centres tomorrow.