A very large low pressure zone will engulf NZ this weekend bringing severe gales, heavy snow, downpours and a drop in temperatures nationwide.

It is a significant weather event which will intensify on Thursday, peak on Saturday and Sunday, then ease into next week.

Despite a big block of high pressure for Australia, the south eastern states like TAS and VIC are exposed to severe gales and snow on the ranges.

We break down rain, snow, gales and temperatures for New Zealand and Australia between now and Sunday.