Unfortunately, it did not fall soon enough to stop the fire from causing damage on a local farm.
The massive fire started burning on the eastern face of the Rock and Pillar Range on Monday evening.
It was one of many blazes ravaging the South and being buffeted by strong winds earlier in the week.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand southern communications shift manager Andrew Norris said fire crews left the scene at 11pm, as it was too dangerous to approach at night, and planned to call in helicopters and other resources in the morning.
But when crews returned at dawn yesterday, the fire was out.
It was thanks to a dramatic change in the weather that resulted in snow falling to about 200m overnight, he said.
"The weather had done the job and there was no physical sign of smoke or flames."
Fire crews would check the scene again today.
In the first hour of the fire burning, it grew to about 400ha in size and ripped through a private farm and public conservation land.
A Department of Conservation spokeswoman said the fire affected the Te Papanui Conservation Park but it was too early to say what impact it had on its species and ecosystems.
"We haven’t yet carried out an assessment. In fact, bad weather, including snow, is preventing anyone accessing the area currently and we need to wait for conditions to clear."
Farmer Neil Grant, whose property the fire had burned through, was thankful it was out.
A lot of fencing was destroyed, but a neighbour had alerted him of the fire in time for all stock to be moved to safety, he said.
That neighbour was Jo Robertson, who said it was unusual circumstances that led her to discover the blaze on the hills.
She was wrestling with a giant Judith Collins election billboard that had been blown from a neighbouring paddock into her garden by high winds, when she spotted the fire.
"I am not a National supporter, so there was no promotional leverage for Judith Collins, but I am grateful the billboard ended up in our garden."
She quickly alerted Mr Grant, other neighbours and emergency services," she said.
"Within the 15 to 20 minutes of us seeing it, it had totally rocketed down the mountain.
"It was just huge."
