A fast-moving southerly flow from Antarctica is forecast to bring freezing temperatures, snow, strong winds and rain to much of New Zealand.

MetService forecaster Braydon White told the Herald conditions across the South Island would be wet and windy as the front moves up the country from this evening.

“We’re seeing some showers in the Southland region at the moment, which is heralding the arrival of the front,” he said.

Strong wind watches are in place for Otago, Fiordland, Southland and the Canterbury high country until late this evening and early tomorrow morning.

A heavy rain watch is also in place for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers until 1am tomorrow.

“Snow is going to quite low levels. We’re talking maybe 100-200 in the far south,” he said.

Road snowfall warnings are also in force for various South Island roads until early tomorrow morning.

Temperatures across the lower South Island are forecast to linger in the single digits, with highs of 9C and lows of 1C in the Queenstown and Southland regions.

It would slowly warm further up the island with Christchurch and Ashburton reaching 11C and Nelson and Blenheim reaching mid-teens.

However, once the fast-moving front moves north, there would be “warm sun but cold wind” across much of the South Island, White said.

“If you’re in the shade, you might need the extra layer, but, if you’re in the sun, you might not feel too bad.”

In the North Island, the front would only reach Taupo before fading away, White said.

“Conditions in places like Auckland and Northland won’t be too bad. They might see the odd shower and a bit windy.”

However, the front would bring rain to much of the lower North Island as it moves up the country in the afternoon.

“Places like Wellington, there will be a strong cold change. It looks like the temperature would drop in behind the front.

“Given it will be the middle of the day, it will be quite noticeable.”

White described the cold snap as “typical” for early spring.

“It’s a bit windy, the front would come through with a bit of a bang, it will pass quite quickly and, before you know it, things will start to clear up again.”