Rain causes flooding in Canterbury as Southerly blast brings first snow-fall of winter

It's the sight everyone has been waiting for. Tekapo covered in a blanket of snow which is well overdue after an unseasonably warm winter. 

The lack of regular snowfalls is being felt by businesses operators who claim it's the quietest winter in five years.

"It has meant that the ski field hasn't opened as much as it should have and we have missed out on that kind of area of guests," said Lake Tekapo Holiday Park receptionist Peggie Barnes.

Further South and skiers in Queenstown are full of smiles. It's the first decent snowfall since the start of the season.

"Here at Coronet overnight we have had 16centimetres of new snow really perked everybody up both the staff and the customers," said Coronet Peak manager Nigel Kerr.

For over a month Coronet Peak has relied on man-made snow - now they've finally received the real stuff - and with it a massive boost and economic lift.

"This is going to be put a lot of security back into winter to business to staff they employ the season they word to everybody is going to be happy to see this," said Kerr.

"It is white gold if you have got a shop down in Queenstown or a bar or a restaurant," he continued.

However, in nearby Hororata, the weather isn't so favourable. 

Heavy rain fell across the Selwyn District overnight, leading to flooding,

On Wednesday, Kathy Nusterini had to call the fire brigade for help as her property flooded.

"I rushed home to see this massive amount of water everywhere coming up to the house," she told Newshub.

"It's actually made it up to the backdoor of the house," she said. 

Several paddocks are also underwater.

"I knew it was coming so I got most of my stock onto higher ground," said farmer Kyle Hughes.

Supplementary feed will keep them going until the paddocks dry out. 

And while most farmers are still several weeks away from beginning lambing, some of the season's earliest arrivals will have been feeling these bitterly cold temperatures. 

Farmers are urged to ensure their stock has plenty of shelter and feed available to them.

More rain is forecast for the region - not the news these saturated Cantabrians wanted to hear.

Newshub.