The snowfall was the result of a slow moving, low pressure system which moved over North Otago and Canterbury from the south and west. It was embedded in a very cold southwesterly airstream.

It was the heaviest snowfall in Canterbury and north Otago since July 1945 and lasted from the 5th until the 7th of February.

There was extensive disruption of communications, power supply and transport.

Secondary roads were blocked for several days.

There was up to three feet (0.91m) of snow in some places.

Thousands of stock were lost.

There was widespread damage to electric power, telephone lines, buildings and disrupted road access.

The damage to farm buildings due to snow loading was also quite extensive and cost $200,000 ($2,158,000 2009 dollars) to repair. The Earthquake and War Damage Commision received 327 claims.

There was severe forest damage.

Snow was between 3 to 4 feet (0.91-1.22m) deep over much of the flat land especially around Ashburton.

North of Waimakariri River there was over 6000 sheep and over 50 cattle lost.

In Malvern County there was 27000 sheep and 500 cattle lost.

In Geraldine County there was 7000 sheep and 2000 cattle lost.

In MacKenzie County there was 20743 sheep and 543 cattle lost.

In Waimate County there was 21000 sheep and 250 cattle lost.

In Waitake County and Hakataramea Valley there was 12900 sheep and 200 cattle lost.

There was severe stock losses and the total stock losses over the whole area was over 133,000 sheep and over 4100 cattle lost.

Canterbury plains had snow to a depth of 0-30cm.

Rough estimate of the of the damage was approximately $100,000 ($1,079,000 2009 dollars).

Damage to power lines included 280 poles, hundreds of conductor breaks and 4,400ft (1341m) of crossarm timber was used to replace broken cross arms.

There was damage to fences and the repair costs were $2905.84 ($31,400 2009 dollars) plus labour costs of $5000 ($53,900 2009 dollars).

The power was out and the telephone lines were down.

Roads were closed and people were isolated.

Snow closed 480 miles (772.32km) of roading.

Eighty buildings collapsed or were damaged.

Roading damage cost $57,216 ($617,300 2009 dollars) to repair.

There was a demand for portable water.

The total cost of repairs to power lines was $185,545 ($2,002,000 2009 dollars).

There was damaged telephone and power lines and an affected waster supply.

Several sheds collapsed and several buildings also failed under the weight of the snow.

Roads were closed in the area.

There was an $8000 ($86,300 2009 dollars) flood damage restoration claim made for the snow clearing costs.

Cars were trapped in a snowdrift at Kowhai No.2 River.

Eight people were rescued from Porters Pass.

Farlie had snow to a depth of 71cm.

Cost of repairs to buildings and fences in the district was $65,620 ($708,000 2009 dollars).

Darfield had snow to a depth of 25cm

Sheffield had snow to a depth of 60cm

Oxford had snow to a depth of 0-5cm

Methven had snow to a depth of 61cm

Mt Hutt had snow to a depth of 180cm

Geraldine had snow to a depth of 45cm

Mt Peel had snow to a depth of 25cm

Arundel had snow to a depth of 25cm

Mesopotamia had snow to a depth of 75cm

Lake Tekapo had snow to a depth of 67cm

The Hermitage had snow to a depth of 120cm

There was extensive disruption of communications, power supply and transport.

Secondary roads were blocked for several days.