The Tararua District Council's emergency operations centre (EOC) was activated but remained on a monitoring basis only until 9pm and emergency services were on high alert.
The council prepared for evacuations, particularly from Huxley St and Tiraumea Rd, opening up the Pahiatua Community Civil Defence Headquarters however Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis said water didn't encroach into houses and they closed down the centre at 2pm.
Norsewood farmer Lyn McConchie said they had about three inches (7.5cm) of snow overnight yesterday.
"I knew there had been a southerly as the snow was all up against my window and when I walked down through the snow to get the paper the hedge had been snow blasted on the other side."
Ms McConchie said it was the first snow fall of the year and the coldest night, with her temperature gauge reading -5C at 7am.
Even though she was not enjoying the chilly weather she said her geese were "very happy".
"Between the rain and melting of snow we have a very large stretch of lawn about 6 inches under water so the geese are very happy out there."
The New Zealand Transport Agency issued an area warning for snow and ice on State Highway 2 between Woodville and Waipukurau and also on State Highway 50 between Takapau and Tikokino yesterday.
The Napier-Taupo Rd and the Napier-Taihape Rd was also closed yesterday.
Unfortunately for the Bay MetService meteorologist Ravi Kandula said there would be heavy rain on and off all day today due to a frontal feature, which moved into the region overnight.
"The southeasterly gales will ease later in the day and the rain should start to ease Friday evening."
However, the forecast for Saturday and Sunday was looking like an improving trend with rain clearing by lunchtime tomorrow and fine sunny spells forecast for Sunday.
"There is not much in the way of cloud and wind on Sunday but the temperatures will drop due to the southerly flow so highs will be in the single digits during the day," Mr Kandula said.
Napier was forecast to reach 12C on Saturday and 13C on Sunday with overnight lows of 0C and 2C.
Hastings was similar with highs of 11C and 13C and overnight lows of -1C and 3C.