New Zealand will have everything thrown at us over the next week as a westerly surge flares up over the country, bringing a real spring/autumn like variety of weather.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says windier weather kicks in today but peaks from this Sunday to next Wednesday.

"It brings heavy rain to the West Coast, heavy snow to the Southern Alps but mostly dry and sunny weather to the east."

A northwesterly airflow is building tomorrow, bringing warm temperatures for eastern regions, a front moves onto the lower South Island in the evening then pushes northwards overnight.

"A mainly dry start for western New Zealand today then rain develops towards midday, becoming heavy for some with thunderstorms possible then easing in the evening as northerlies change northwest or westerly.

"High cloud for eastern regions, a few spots of rain late afternoon or evening as a front passes over, northeasterly winds tend north to northwest later in the day."