Wild, wet and windy weather is here

A cold snap is expected to bring severe weather and possibly the first significant snowfall of the year.

Heavy rain is forecast on the West Coast, and there may be snow on both the Crown Range and Milford Roads.

MetService meteorologist Angus Hines says temperatures are expected to drop in both islands towards the end of the week.

There's also been 849 lightning strikes across the country this morning.