MetService forecaster Gerard Barrow said snow fell widely across the South yesterday as a front moved up the lower South Island.
In St Bathans, about 600m above sea level, an observer reported that it started snowing about 10am, and by about 4pm 8cm had accumulated.
Places above 500m, including Ranfurly, would likely have had 5cm to 10cm, with lesser amounts accumulating below that.
However, snow did not fall to a uniform depth over a large area, Barrow said.
After yesterday's snowfall, conditions would clear, but temperatures would drop, and this morning and tomorrow morning especially could present risks of icy roads for drivers around the region.
In Dunedin, it was supposed to drop to 2C to start today and to -2C inland in places such as Alexandra and Clyde.
The temperature would drop even further to -5C in those inland areas as the week progressed.
Tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday were expected to be dry, but the weather would flow from the east or south and "it is going to be cold".
Maximum temperatures would remain in the single digits for the week.
Still, the reports of snow were welcomed on Dunedin social media yesterday.