Snowfall in Dannervike, 8am Thursday morning.
Video / Leanne Warr
A once-in-a-decade October chill hit Hawke's Bay as a cold blast came through from Antarctica and deposited snow onto the region's hills early Thursday morning.
Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers president Jim Galloway said that while some lamb farmers in the high country could have been caught out by the snow,horticulturalists will have even greater cause to worry if frost settles in.
A spokeswoman from Niwa said the last time it was cooler than average in October was recorded in 2009 when there were record low temperatures and late snowfalls, particularly in Hawke's Bay and the Central Plateau.
From Te Haroto the Kaweka Range boasts its white cloak. Photo Paul Taylor
She said the snowy conditions would affect pass roads and the lingering cold would cause a risk of frost and black ice until Saturday.
Galloway said some lamb farmers in the higher areas would have been caught out by the snow, but most of the lambing stock was set up to be sheltered beforehand to minimise the impact.
Snow on Mt Kahuranaki on Thursday morning. Photo / Paul Taylor
"There is shelter and trees and it is on the northern side, so that gets a little bit less snow and more sun on the northern side. They do look where they are putting the stock to make sure it is as good as possible for them."
He said that while it wouldn't be so bad for pastoral farmers, horticulturalists would have big problems if frost settled in.
"A frost for the pastoral scene wouldn't be too bad, but for the horticultural guys it could be a disaster."
A spokesperson for Beef + Lamb NZ said they were directing farmers to the Rural Support Trust if they need support.
The top of Maraetotara wasn't spared a thin layering of snow either. Photo Dana Cook
A dusting of snow coated Mt Kahuranaki south of Hastings on Thursday morning, while there were also reports of snow in Dannevirke township and Norsewood.
At 8.30am there were reports of snow falling at the top of Te Mata Peak and on SH50 near Takapau. Further up at Ashley Clinton, in Central Hawke's Bay, the snow was settling.
Dannevirke residents reported a light fall around 7am with a heavier fall an hour later.
Ria Maniapoto was able to make a snowman. Photo / Supplied
Ria Maniapoto got a bit of a surprise when she got up on Thursday morning.
Like many other Dannevirke residents, the 9-year-old discovered snow was falling.
At her grandmother's place, roughly 13km from the centre of Dannevirke township, and close to the Ruahine Ranges, the Dannevirke South School student took advantage of the rare event and built a snowman.
"It was so fun."
It was the first time Ria had experienced snow at this time of year, which, according to Niwa, was caused by an air mass straight from Antarctica.
Ashley Clinton in Central Hawke's Bay on Thursday morning. Photo / Supplied
Hail briefly hit Hastings city about 2pm on Thursday afternoon.
