Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 29 to 30, 2001

A large winter storm battered south-central Nebraska with heavy snow and strong winds. New snowfall of 5 to 13 inches was reported.This particular storm began during the morning hours of January 29th and continued through the afternoon of the 30th. Heavy snow fell first across areas north of Interstate 80. Then, as colder air deepened, snow intensity increased to the south. In the end, a foot of snow fell across Valley, Greeley and parts of Sherman counties. An average of 5 to 9 inches of snow fell across the rest of south-central Nebraska.North winds increased significantly on the 30th and gusted to 50 mph in the afternoon. Despite a clearing sky, blizzard conditions settled in by afternoon. Visibilities approached zero in blowing snow. About a half dozen area highways were closed. At one point, roads opened once, were drifted shut again. Travel was not recommended by the Nebraska State Patrol. Nearly every school was closed on the 30th. In fact, Loup City Public School, which had let out early on January 29th, did not return to classes until February 1st due to rural roads continually drifting shut. Most extracurricular school and community activities were postponed or canceled.