Road users are being urged to take extra care on the roads around the South Island today, as heavy rain makes for slippery surfaces

Several vehicle crashes have been reported on state highways in the lower and central South Island, and there are also reports of slips affecting the highways, including on State Highway 88 between Dunedin and Port Chalmers.

A heavy rain watch is in place for Southland and Clutha for the 24 hours from noon today. Road snowfall warnings are also in effect from the early hours of tomorrow for Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) and the Crown Range Road.