Heavy rain warnings have been issued around the country with most of New Zealand in for a drenching.

And some South Island high pass roads have been closed due to snow and ice, as temperatures dip in the south.

MetService has posted a heavy rain orange warning in the Bay of Plenty area east of Ōpōtiki and the ranges of Gisborne north of Ruatōria.

People in the area are warned that surface flooding and slips are possible and driving conditions may become hazardous.

The warning is in place from now until midnight and locals are being told to expect between 80mm to 120mm of rain, with peak intensities of 15mm to 20mm/h from this afternoon and evening.

There is also a heavy rain warning in Mt Taranaki until about 2pm, when 80mm to 120mm of rain is expected.

Snow on Porters Pass on Friday. Photo / George Heard

Peak intensities of 15mm to 25mm/h are forecast this morning and people are advised that some heavy showers or rain will be likely later this afternoon and evening.

There are heavy rain warnings as well in the Tasman west of Motueka until about 11am and the ranges of Westland, south of Otirā from now until 6pm tomorrow.

Periods of heavy rain are on the cards there and locals can expect between 150mm to 230mm of rain, with peak intensities of 10mm to 20mm/h.

Thunderstorms are also possible from this afternoon and coastal areas may get between 70mm to 100mm of rain during that time.

Aucklanders are waking up to a day that is expected to bring periods of rain with some heavy falls that will, however, ease to showers from this afternoon.

A temperature high of 19C is forecast for the City of Sails and an overnight low of 13C.

The same conditions are forecast in the Coromandel, while the rest of the North Island is also in for rain - with some heavy falls - that will turn to showers from the afternoon.

Thunderstorms are a possibility in the west.

Those in Marlborough, Nelson, Buller and Westland are all in for rain that will turn into showers by the afternoon too. And some heavy falls and thunderstorms may also be on the cards.

Further south in Canterbury and Otago, including Clutha, periods of rain are expected to clear from this evening.

Clutha, Southland and Fiordland are expected to get periods of rain, while the Chatham Islands will see a cloudy day that will bring rain later this evening.

Heavy snow warnings

For those travelling in and around the Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River, a heavy snow warning has been issued in the area and may disrupt travel.

The warning is in place from now until about 11am.

Snow in Wanaka on Friday morning. Photo / Supplied

Lake Tekapo with heavy snow on Friday morning. Photo / Brooke Gardner

"Rain is expected to turn to snow above about 400m for a time Friday morning with some heavy falls."

The largest snow accumulations are expected above about 700m - especially about the Mackenzie Basin, the MetService said.

A blanket of frsh snow has fallen on Tekapo overnight and on Friday morning. Photo / Jennifer Guthrie

People can expect between 10cm to 15cm of snow above 700m and 5cm to 10cm down to 400m.

Ashburton Lakes in the Canterbury High Country, inland from Mt Somers on Friday morning. Photo / Layla Ensor

The Crown Range Rd is closed between Eastbourne and Cardrona due to heavy snow and an underlying layer of black ice.

Motorists are asked to use the alternative route via Kawarau Gorge but take extra care as this route is also affected by snow.

Glentanner Park, Aoraki Mount Cook on Friday. Photo / Sarah Horrocks

Snow on Porters Pass on Friday. Photo / George Heard

"Make sure you're carrying your chains wherever you're travelling on the network today," Queenstown Lakes District Council said.

"There's snow on the ground from Wanaka up to the Cardrona Township. This is being ploughed. Again please carry your chains.

"Elsewhere, the roads are wet and the temperatures are low.

SH8 over Lake Ruataniwha spill way bridge towards Twizel. Photo / Supplied

"There's a good chance of ice forming at daybreak so please be extra careful. We'll update via the usual channels if conditions get particularly bad."

Meanwhile, Cadrona Alpine Resort has closed today due to blizzard conditions on the mountain.

The Haast and Burkes passes are also closed due to heavy snow.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area or delay their journey if possible.

The Lindis Pass was closed at 6.15am but fully reopened with chains essential at 10.30am.