UPDATED 10.56am: Snow is falling across the country this morning. 

Residents in the lower South Island are being told it'd be wise to stay off the roads. There are also reports of snow in Rotorua. Snowfall is being reported on Rainbow Mountain and in Tumunui. 

The Otago Regional Council says bus users should expect delays when planning their trips.

The majority of services have been suspended because of snow, with just seven left running on shortened routes.

Snow showers are expected to continue throughout today, along with freezing temperatures.

Road Closures: July 8, 2015

A number of kids holiday programmes around the city have been cancelled and many kindies and playcentres delayed opening.

Six flights out of Dunedin Airport have been cancelled.

Southland Emergency Management Advisor Craig Sinclair reports the number of crashes caused by poor weather yesterday were unnecessary and today is likely to be worse.

"We're looking at more snow to 300 metres ... and possibly down to sea level again. We would encourage people that didn't need to travel to stay at home."

• Road Closures: July 8, 2015
• Snow around the country

Sinclair warns people shouldn't head out if they don't have to.

"Black ice is really difficult to see. You don't know until you've actually hit it. You're going sideways and then it's a bit too late. We're just encouraging people to stay and wait until the roads thaw out a bit."

Newstalk ZB's Dunedin reporter Adam Walker said snow has fallen about three to four centimetres on the ground.

"That of course is making driving quite treacherous. There are cars fishtailing out, I've already seen one person abandon their mission to work out in Mosgiel this morning."

He warns sheets of ice are not only making driving dangerous. Pedestrians are lurching their way down footpaths by holding on to anything they can grab.  

Newstalk ZB caller Brett made it into Christchurch on the roads this morning, but he was still sliding round corners.

"Just driven in from Belfast into the central city and the roads are crazy. They're like skating rings. We had a bit of a snow flurry late last night. It wasn't anything major, but that's all sort of settled on the road. It looks like the roads are actually wet, but it's just ice." 

Other callers say hail has settled overnight and the southern motorway out of the city is treacherous with patches of ice.

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence spokesman Ian MacDonald warns people should be ready for more road closures.

"They need to be prepared, so make sure they've got some warm clothing, some food, their cellphones charged, some water, just in case they do get stuck."

MetService meteorologist John Law admits the South Island is in for a chilly week.

"Temperatures today are going to struggle, but it will be a real mix of sleet through Christchurch tonight and we're going to find our temperatures dropping back down. Some of the colder temperatures will be down South. You may not get the snow, but you will get cold temperatures."