Severe weather will affect much of the country in the coming days.

Orange Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued for parts of Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, the Buller District and Taranaki Maunga (Mt Taranaki) ending by Friday evening.

Orange Strong Winds Warnings are in place for the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington today (Thursday).

Heavy Rain Watches also cover the Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Taihape, northern Whanganui, Dunedin and North Otago from Friday afternoon.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Northland for Friday morning for possible downpours.

A Heavy Snow Watch is in place for Central Otago and Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River overnight from Friday into Saturday.

“The Nelson and Tasman region has had significant rain recently, and we’re expecting a lot more to fall by Friday evening,” MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said.

“Before the end of Friday, northern parts of the South Island will likely see more than a month’s worth of rain.

“Expect the rivers to be running high and surface flooding [to be] present.”

On Friday, the heavy rain will affect most of the North Island.

Before dawn, squally thunderstorms are expected to arrive in Northland, Pawley said.

These bring the risk of heavy downpours and strong wind gusts.

“As the front moves across the island, the risk of thunderstorms spreads to other regions of the North Island and [the] top of the South.

“Overnight into Saturday, the winds will shift [to] southerly, directing heavy rain at Dunedin and Otago, with the possibility of heavy snow above 600 metres inland.

“Sunday looks like the better day to travel if you’re going away for the school holidays because the severe weather is expected to ease. If you’re going skiing, I’d recommend staying cozy and dry while the fresh snow falls.”