MetService's weather map - is sprinkled with orange and yellow watches and warnings - announcing heavy rain and wind

That's alongside warning snow may fall in the Canterbury high country - wit likely impacts on mountain roads.

MetService Metereologist John Law says some areas will get a lashing from the wind.

MetService Metereologist John Law says some areas will get more of a lashing from the wind - including the middle of the country, and the west coast of the South Island.