The temperature in Omarama dropped to -21degC yesterday morning, a record low for the Waitaki District settlement in observations since 1950.
The previous record was -17.5degC in July 1968, the MetService said.
By 3pm yesterday, it had warmed to -5degC in Omarama, slightly higher than -9degC at the same time on Tuesday.
Most pedestrians had taken to walking along the roads in Omarama this week, as snow still covered footpaths.
Farmers in the Omarama area faced tough working conditions as thick snow was restricting access to animals and limiting their ability to get to feed and water.
Yesterday, Heliventures New Zealand pilots were flying farmers and their dogs up into the hills to locate stock trapped in the snow.
''There are small groups of stock stuck in hard-to-reach spots,'' Heliventures New Zealand owner Nicki McMillan said.
''We drop [farmers] out and help them get their stock to safer ground where there is feed, by making tracks in the snow for them to move through on foot with our snow raking gear.''
Pilots have also been lifting out livestock by net, if they have become unable to move due to fatigue.
Earlier this week, the company also worked with Network Waitaki flying power lines in the Hakataramea and Omarama areas, to help restore power.
