People are being warned to prepare for some colder weather this week.

A snowfall warning has been issued for the Desert Road.

The MetService says in the 11 hours from 9am Wednesday to 8pm Wednesday, a few showers may fall as snow at higher levels of the road for a time on Wednesday, and up to 1cm may settle on the road above 900m.

"A front is expected to move northeast across the country from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning, followed by cold southerlies."

In the Bay of Plenty, showers are on the forecast for this afternoon and evening.

An overnight low of nine degrees is also being predicted.