Blizzard and Winter Storm in Kansas, March 27 to 28, 2009

Light to moderate snow, with periodic bouts of heavy snow, affected the county from the predawn hours on the 27th through the early morning hours on the 28th. Snowfall amounts ranged from less than 4 inches across far northwest portions of the county, to over 15 inches across southern portions of the county. The cities of Great Bend and Ellinwood recieved around 16 inches. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow.

Occasional light to moderate snow, with periodic bouts of heavy snow, affected mainly southeast portions of the county from the early morning hours on the 27th through the early morning hours on the 28th. Snowfall amounts ranged from a trace across northwest portions of the county, to around 4 inches across far southeast portions of the county. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow.

Occasional moderate to heavy snow affected much of the county from the early morning hours on the 27th through around the noon hour on the 28th. Snowfall amounts ranged from less than 4 inches across northwest portions of the county, to greater than one foot across mainly southern portions of the county. Ellsworth reported around 11 inches. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow. The weight of the snow caused a portion of a Kanopolis Lake gas station canopy to collapse. The Marquette Tribune contributed to this report.

Occasional light to moderate snow, with periodic bouts of heavy snow, affected mainly southeast portions of the county from the early morning hours on the 27th through the early morning hours on the 28th. Snowfall amounts ranged from a trace across northwest portions of the county, to greater than 6 inches across southeast portions of the county. Around 6 inches was reported in the city of Lincoln. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow.

Light to moderate snow, with periodic bouts of heavy snow, affected the county from the predawn hours on the 27th through the mid morning hours on the 28th. Snowfall amounts ranged from roughly 12 to 16 inches across the county. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. One reported fatality occurred during the late evening hours on the 27th. A 71-year old Bushton man passed away while he was likely tending to his cattle. It remains uncertain if weather was the main contributing factor in his death. Additionally, a handful of stranded travelers were rescued by Lyons and Sterling Fire Department personnel. Lyons News contributed to this report.

Light snow affected the county during the morning and afternoon hours on the 27th, with occasional moderate to heavy snow developing by late afternoon and persisting through the late morning hours on the 28th. Snowfall amounts ranged from roughly 6 to 12 inches, with the least amounts across northwest portions of the county. Salina reported around 10 inches. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow. A number of relatively minor traffic accidents occurred across the county, including numerous slide-offs. The Salina Journal contributed to this report.

Light to moderate snow, with periodic bouts of heavy snow, affected the county from the mid to late morning hours on the 27th, through the late morning hours on the 28th. However, areas of sleet accumulated across mainly southeast portions of the county during the day on the 27th. Snowfall amounts ranged from roughly 8 inches over far eastern portions of the county, to 12 to 18 inches elsewhere across the county. Inman received 18 inches, Windom and Marquette 15 inches, and McPherson 13 inches. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. The weight of the snow partially collapsed or damaged some roofs in McPherson, including a furniture store, a machinery and insulation plant, and the McPherson middle school. The Marquette Tribune, Salina Journal and Hutchinson News contributed to this report.

Light to moderate snow, with periodic bouts of heavy snow, affected the county from the early morning hours on the 27th through the early afternoon hours on the 28th. However, southeast portions of the county received a wintry mix of snow and sleet through much of the day on the 27th, changing over to all snow during the evening and overnight hours. Widespread snowfall amounts ranged from roughly 12 to 20 inches across the county. Hutchinson received 16 inches, with western portions of the county reaching 20 inches. Southeast portions of the county received 7 to 12 inches of snow, on top of at least 1 to 2 inches of sleet. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. Three known injuries occurred in two automobile accidents due to the adverse road conditions. Unfortunately, an Arlington man died of a heart attack caused by shoveling snow. Paramedics were unable to reach him in a timely manner due to nearly impassable roads. Additionally, the heavy, wet snow caused a string of roof collapses and/or roof damage, including several businesses and a few schools. A canopy at the State Fairgrounds collapsed as well, along with some residential outbuildings and sheds. The Hutchinson News and Salina Journal contributed to this report.

Light to moderate snow, with periodic bouts of heavy snow, affected the county from the early morning hours on the 27th through the early afternoon hours on the 28th. However, eastern and southern portions of the county received a wintry mix of snow and sleet through much of the day on the 27th, changing over to all snow from west to east during the evening and overnight hours. Snowfall amounts over western and northern portions of the county ranged from roughly 12 to 20 inches, while southern and eastern portions of the county received roughly 6 to 12 inches of snow on top of 2 to 3 inches of sleet. Cunningham received 15 to 20 inches of snow, while Kingman received 9 to 12 inches. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. Portions of the roof on a Kingman grocery store collapsed underneath the weight of the heavy, wet snow. Portions of the roof on the Kingman Activity Center collapsed as well. The Cunningham Courier and the Kingman Leader-Courier contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet and snow affected the county during the day on the 27th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow during the evening and overnight hours from west to east, and persisted into the afternoon hours on the 28th. Sleet accumulations across the county ranged from roughly 2 to 4 inches, with 6 to 15 inches of snow, highest over northwest portions of the county, accumulating on top of the sleet from the evening and overnight hours on the 27th and beyond. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. The combination of ice, snow and wind downed around 18 power poles across the county. Additionally, a couple businesses, one in Harper and the other just north of Attica received damage when portions of their roofs collapsed underneath the weight of the heavy, wet snow. There was one reported car port and front porch awning collapse across the county. The Harper Advocate and Hutchinson News contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet, snow and periodic freezing rain affected the county during the day on the 27th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to all snow from west to east during the evening and overnight hours, and persisted into the afternoon hours on the 28th. Meaningful ice and sleet accumulations were confined to mainly the eastern three-fourths of the county, where sleet accumulated over 2 to 3 inches in some places. Meanwhile, snowfall accumulations exceeded 12 inches over extreme west and northwest portions of the county, where stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. Total ice, sleet and snow accumulations over eastern portions of the county ranged from roughly 4 to 8 inches. Treacherous travel conditions lead to multiple accidents in and around Newton, some of which involved injuries, but none were critical. Portions of the roof of a Hesston plant collapsed underneath the weight of the heavy, wet snow. The combination of ice, snow and wind downed several power lines countywide. The Newton Kansan contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet, snow and periodic freezing rain affected the county from the mid-morning hours on the 27th into the overnight hours. The wintry mix eventually changed over to all snow from west to east during the overnight hours on the 27th and early morning hours on the 28th, and persisted into the early afternoon hours. Sleet accumulations across the county ranged from roughly 2 to 4 inches, with freezing rain depositing one-quarter to one-half inch of ice over generally the eastern half of the county. Meanwhile, 3 to 8 inches of snow, highest amounts over far west and northwest portions of the county, accumulated on top of the ice and sleet. Total ice, sleet and snow accumulation measured about 7 inches across Wichita. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less over mainly western portions of the county. Two people were injured when their vehicle slid off Kellogg and plunged into the Arkansas River. Additionally, portions of the Haysville Middle School roof was damaged due to the weight of the ice and snow. The Wichita Eagle and the Haysville Sun-Times contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet, snow freezing rain affected the county from the early to mid morning hours on the 27th into the overnight hours. The wintry mix eventually changed over to all snow from west to east during the overnight hours on the 27th and early morning hours on the 28th, and persisted into the afternoon hours. Sleet accumulations across the county ranged from roughly 2 to 4 inches, with freezing rain depositing one-quarter to one-half inch of ice over generally the eastern half of the county. Meanwhile, 2 to 8 inches of snow, highest over far western portions of the county, accumulated on top of the ice and sleet. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less over mainly western portions of the county.

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet and freezing rain affected the county from the mid morning hours on the 27th through the early morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to all snow from west to east during the morning hours on the 28th, and persisted into the afternoon hours. Sleet accumulations ranged from 1 to 4 inches, highest over western and northern portions of the county. Additionally, ice accumulated one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch countywide due to freezing rain. Snowfall accumulations on top of the sleet and ice ranged from 1 to 3 inches, heaviest over western and northern portions of the county, where stout north to northeast winds resulted in some blowing snow and reduced visibilities during the morning hours on the 28th. The weight of the ice in concert with the wind downed numerous tree limbs across the county, along with some power lines and power poles. A 1250-foot radio tower collapsed near Winfield due to the weight of the ice. Power outages were numerous countywide.

A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain affected the county from the early to mid morning hours on the 27th through the early morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to all snow from west to east during the morning hours on the 28th, and persisted into the afternoon hours. Widespread ice accumulations ranged from one-quarter to three quarters of an inch, with isolated 1 inch amounts. Total sleet and snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from 1 to 3 inches. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in some blowing snow and reduced visibilities during the morning and afternoon hours on the 28th. The weight of the ice downed more than 80 power poles in the Piedmont area.

A periodic wintry mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain affected the county from the early to mid morning hours on the 27th through the early morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to light snow from west to east for a relatively brief period during the morning and afternoon hours on the 28th. Widespread ice accumulations ranged from one-quarter to three quarters of an inch, especially over western portions of the county. Total sleet and snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from a trace to 2 inches, highest over western portions of the county.

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet, snow and freezing rain affected the county during the day on the 27th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow during the evening and overnight hours from west to east, and persisted into the afternoon hours on the 28th. Meaningful ice and sleet accumulations were confined to mainly southern and eastern portions of the county, where sleet accumulated over 2 and 3 inches in some places. Meanwhile, snowfall accumulations exceeded 8 inches over west and northwest portions of the county, where stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. Hillsboro received around 11 inches, and Marion received around 6 inches. Sadly, a 58-year-old Hillsboro woman was killed in a car accident due to the slick roads during the afternoon hours of the 27th. Two others were injured in the accident, which occurred about 7 miles north of Hillsboro on Indigo Road. The Newton Kansas, Salina Journal and Hillsboro Star contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet, snow and freezing rain affected the county from mid morning on the 27th into the overnight hours. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow from west to east during the overnight hours on the 27th and early morning hours on the 28th, and persisted into the afternoon hours on the 28th. Sleet accumulated over 2 and 3 inches in some places, with many of those same areas also experiencing up to one-half inch ice accumulation from freezing rain. Snowfall accumulations on top of the sleet and ice ranged from 1 to 4 inches, heaviest over west and northwest portions of the county, where stout north to northeast winds resulted in some blowing and drifting of snow. Approximately 3 utility poles were downed across the county, along with some tree limbs due to the ice and wind.

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet and freezing rain affected the county from mid morning on the 27th into the overnight hours, and into the early morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to all snow from west to east during the morning hours on the 28th, and persisted into the afternoon hours. Sleet accumulations ranged from 2 to 4 inches countywide, along with widespread ice accumulations of one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch due to freezing rain. Snowfall accumulations on top of the sleet and ice ranged from 1 to 5 inches, heaviest over western portions of the county, where stout north to northeast winds resulted in some blowing and drifting of snow. Unfortunately, a 22-year-old man was critically injured when the motorcycle he was driving hit a snow embankment on Highway 54 a few miles east of Andover. At least six other weather-related automobile accident injuries occurred across the county as well. The weight of the ice caused widespread tree damage, and numerous power poles and lines were downed as well, resulting in thousands of power outages. Additionally, various roofs (mainly flat-topped) sustained at least partial damage due to the weight of the ice, sleet and snow. The El Dorado Times, Augusta Daily Gazette, Rose Hill Reporter and Wichita Eagle contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain affected the county from the early to mid morning hours on the 27th through the early morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to all snow from west to east during the morning hours on the 28th, and persisted into the afternoon hours. Widespread ice accumulations ranged from one-quarter to three quarters of an inch, with isolated 1 inch amounts. Total sleet and snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from 1 to 2 inches. The weight of the ice in concert with the stout winds downed some power poles, power lines and tree limbs across the county, which resulted in numerous power outages. The Independence Daily Reporter and Wilson County Citizen Paper contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of freezing rain and periodic sleet affected the county from the early to mid morning hours on the 27th through the early morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow from west to east for a relatively brief period during the morning and afternoon hours on the 28th. Widespread ice accumulations ranged from one-quarter to three quarters of an inch. Total sleet and snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from 1 to 3 inches, highest over far eastern portions of the county. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in some blowing snow, reducing visibilities during the morning and afternoon hours on the 28th. The weight of the ice in concert with the stout winds downed numerous tree limbs, along with some power poles and power lines, which resulted in widespread power outages. The Yates Center News and Wilson County Citizen Paper contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet affected the county from the morning hours on the 27th into the morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow during the mid to late morning and persisted into the afternoon hours on the 28th. Widespread ice accumulations ranged from one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch, highest across northwest portions of the county. Total snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from 1 to 5 inches, highest over east and southeast portions of the county. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in reduced visibilities in falling and blowing snow. The weight of the ice in concert with the stout winds downed numerous tree limbs and some power poles and power lines, causing widespread power outages. The Wilson County Citizen and Independence Daily Reporter contributed to this report.

A periodic wintry mix of rain and freezing rain affected the county from the morning hours on the 27th into the morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow during late morning hours on the 28th and persisted into the early evening hours. Widespread ice accumulations likely reached two-tenths of an inch, highest across northwest portions of the county. Total snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from 2 to 5 inches countywide. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in reduced visibilities in falling and blowing snow.

A periodic wintry mix of rain and freezing rain affected mainly the northwest half of the county from the morning hours on the 27th into the morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow during late morning hours on the 28th and persisted into the early evening hours countywide. Scattered ice accumulations likely reached one to two-tenths of an inch across northwest portions of the county. Total snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from 2 to 5 inches, highest over western portions of the county. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in reduced visibilities in falling and blowing snow.

A periodic wintry mix of rain and freezing rain affected the county from the morning hours on the 27th into the morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow during late morning hours on the 28th and persisted through the afternoon hours. Widespread ice accumulations ranged from one-tenth to one-half inch, highest across the northwest half of the county. Total snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from 2 to 5 inches countywide. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in reduced visibilities in falling and blowing snow. The weight of the ice in concert with the stout winds downed numerous tree limbs along with some power poles and power lines, which caused widespread power outages. The community of LaHarpe lost water service on the 29th for a good portion of the day due to ongoing power outages. The Iola Register contributed to this report.

A wintry mix of rain and freezing rain affected the county from the afternoon hours on the 27th into the morning hours on the 28th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow during the mid to late morning and persisted into the afternoon hours on the 28th. Widespread ice accumulations ranged from a trace to one-quarter inch, highest across northwest portions of the county. Total snow accumulations on top of the ice ranged from 2 to 6 inches, highest over eastern portions of the county. Coffeyville received around 6 inches, and Independence around 4 inches. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in reduced visibilities in falling and blowing snow. Icy roads aided in numerous accidents and slide-offs, which caused 3 known injuries on Highway 166 13 miles west of Coffeyville. Additionally, the weight of the ice in concert with the stout winds downed several tree limbs and some power poles and power lines, causing various power outages. The Independence Daily Reporter contributed to this report.