Nebraska, 2010

Blizzard and Winter Weather in Nebraska, February 14 to 15, 2010

February 14 to 15, 2010 · NWS OAX · 29 events in 24 counties and zones

A quick moving storm brought strong winds and blizzard or near-blizzard conditions to a large part of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on Feb. 14th and 15th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 29 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
4
Injuries
15
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
29

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS OAX wrote it up.

A quick moving storm brought strong winds and blizzard or near-blizzard conditions to a large part of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on Feb. 14th and 15th. As low pressure aloft dropped southeast across eastern Nebraska early on the 14th, light to moderate snow developed over the region. As the system moved southeast of the area, northwest winds increased to 30 to 45 mph. The combination caused white-out conditions, which in some cases lasted for more than 3 hours, even though storm snow amounts were generally under 2 inches. During the height of the storm there were several multi-car pileups which caused road closures. They included ones on Interstate 80 near the Platte River, and on highways near Cedar Bluffs, Beatrice, David City, Alvo and Milford. The accident on Interstate 80 claimed one life. Another disturbance rotated down along the Missouri River late in the evening on the 14th bringing more light snow as the strong winds continued. Additional snowfall from this disturbance was generally under 1 inch. However, the strong winds continued to cause significant drifting snow in open areas causing more accidents, several of which were fatal, and also caused additional road closures. Many of the closed roads were in northeast Nebraska which also prompted the closure of several area schools.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 14, 3:50 AM CST, 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 14, 3:50 AM CST, 10 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
350 AM CST SUN FEB 14 2010

.DISCUSSION...

SYNOPSIS...00Z UPPR AIR ANLYS INDCD MAIN UPPR LVL LO NOW OVR NRN
SD ASSOCIATED WITH 60 M H5 HEIGHT FALLS AND A 70 KT H3 JET. 09Z
SFC ANALYS INDCD 1011 MB SFC LO OVR CNTRL MO WITH AN INVERTED TROF
NWD THRU CNTRL IA. SFC PRES RISES OF 4 MB PER 3 HR ARE NOTED OVR
NRN SD. REGIONAL RADAR MOSAIC INDCS -SN ONCE AGAIN INCREASING OVR
SRN SD AND INTO NW IA.

FORECAST...DIFFICULT FORECAST FOR TODAY AS UPPR LVL SYSTEM MOVS
THRU THE FA. MAIN CERTAINTIES IN THE FORECAST ARE THAT IT WILL
SNOW. HAVE ONCE AGAIN INCREASED POPS BACK TO 100 PERCENT AS GIVEN
THE UPSTREAM RADAR AND STG Q-G FORCING...LITTLE DOUBT THERE WILL
BE A PERIOD OF SNOW MOVG FM N TO S THRU THE FA THIS MRNG. AMOUNTS
CONT TO LOOK MARGINAL WITH MOST LOCATIONS SEEING AT OR LESS THAN
AN INCH TODAY. BEST CHCS FOR AN INCH OR SLIGHTLY MORE ARE OVER
CNTRL AND ERN CWA...E OF HIGHWAY 81. ANOTHER CERTAINTY IS THAT
WIND ARE GOING TO INCREASE...AND INCREASE FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY
OVER THE WESTERN CWA. STG LO LVL CAA WILL COMBINE WITH A STG PRES
GRADIENT TO PRODUCE THE STG WINDS. THE 4 MB 3 HR SFC PRES RISES
OVR NRN SD AT 09Z...SHLD MOV THRU THE FA BY MID TO LATE MRNG AS
925 MB WINDS INCREASE TO NEAR 40 KT. THUS WIND ADVISORY CRITERIA
LOOK LIKE A GOOD BET...AND ENOUGH TO ISSUE AN ADVISORY OVR THE
WRN CWA. THE MAIN UNCERTAINTY IN THE FORECAST IS AROUND HOW MUCH
BLOWING SNOW WILL WE SEE. WINDS HAVE DECREASED SOME THIS MRNG OVR
THE CWA AS BEST INITIAL PRES RISES HAVE SHIFTED SWD. THIS IS
EXPECTED TO CONT INTO MID MRNG BEFORE WINDS INCREASE AGAIN.
SNOWFALL WILL GET GOING PRETTY QUICKLY HERE THIS MRNG...BUT BE ON
THE WAY OUT BY THE TIME THE STRONGEST OF THE WINDS GET
HERE...ESPECIALLY OVR WRN IA. DRY NATURE OF THE SN WITH RATIOS OF
15:1 AND DRY SFC DEWPOINTS WILL CERTAINLY PROMOTE BLOWING. BLOWING
SNOW ADVISORY CRITERIA IS OCCASIONAL VISIBILITY RESTRICTION TO A
QUARTER OF A MILE. THIS MAY BE MET AS SNOW IS FALLING...ESPECIALLY
OVR THE WRN CWA...BUT SHLD GENERALLY END AS SNOW DECREASES. SO IN
GENERAL...WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE AN HOUR OR TWO OF LOW VISIBILITY DUE
TO THE COMBINATION OF FALLING SNOW AND STRONG WINDS...BUT
CONFIDENCE THAT WE CAN GET DOWN TO A QUARTER OF A MILE VISBY WITH
NO FALLING SNOW WITH THESE WINDS...ESPECIALLY IN WRN IA...IS NOT
HIGH. SO TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT IT IS A WEEKEND WITH NO SCHOOL
AND LIMITED TRAVEL...THAT THE PERIOD OF VERY LOW VISIBLITY WILL BE
LESS THAN 2 HOURS...AND THAT WE HAVE HAD BLOWING SNOW IN THE
FORECAST AND HWO FOR SEVERAL DAYS...WILL NOT ISSUE ANY WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORIES AND INSTEAD GO WITH A WIND ADVISORY AND INCLUDE
SOME MENTION OF BLOWING SNOW. IN ADDITION...IT IS RIGHT IN THE
MIDDLE OF WINTER AND THIS ISN'T OUR FIRST RODEO WITH WINTER
WEATHER.

SNOW WILL QUICKLY END BY MID DAY FOR MOST AND BY MID AFTN OVR THE
SE. TMPS TODAY ARE NOT LIKELY TO INCREASE MUCH AND GUIDANCE SEEMS
TO WARM. WE HAVE HAD SOME CLEAR SKIES TONIGHT AND ALLOWED FOR
TMPS TO FALL MORE THAN ANTICIPATED. SHLD SEE SOME INCREASE IN
TEMPS DURING THE FALLING SNOW...BUT WL LIKELY NOT GET OUT OF THE
MID TEENS. FORECAST REMAINS A CHALLENGE TONIGHT AS MID LVL SHEAR
AXIS OVR ERN CANADA THIS MRNG...SHIFTS WWD TODAY AND ALLOWS FOR
WEAK FORCING FOR ASCENT TO MOV INTO THE FA OVERNIGHT AND THRU MON
MRNG. POINT FORECAST SOUNDINGS INDC DEEP SATURATION OCCURRING WITH
THIS FEATURE WITH A GOOD PART...IF NOT ALL OF THE MOIST LAYER...OF
THE SOUNDING IN THE DENDRITIC ZONE. SO DESPITE THE RATHER WEAK
FORCING...VERY FAVORABLE THERMAL PROFILES ARE LIKELY TO LEAD TO
SOME -SN AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND THRU MID DAY ON MONDAY. THUS
HAVE INCREASED GOING POPS INTO THE LIKELY CAT OVR THE CNTRL AND
ERN CWA. NOT EXPECTING MUCH SNOWFALL...BUT MEASURABLE PRECIP DOES
SEEM LIKELY ATTM. WL ALSO LIKELY SEE SOME CONTD BLOWING SNOW INTO
MONDAY AS H85 WINDS STAY CLOSE TO 50 KT AND 925 MB WINDS ARE
AROUND 35 KT AND HAVE PUT BACK INTO THE FORECAST THRU
MON...ESPECIALLY OVR THE ERN CWA. QUIET WEATHER LOOKS TO RETURN
FOR MON NIGHT THRU THURS...BUT MODELS ARE HINTING AT ANOTHER STORM
SYSTEM FOR THURS NIGHT INTO FRI AND LATER SHIFTS WL HAVE TO
CONSIDER SOME POPS FOR THIS TIME FRAME.

BOUSTEAD

&&

.AVIATION...

TAF SITES KOFK/KOMA/KLNK

06Z TAFS

COMPLEX WX AT ALL TAF SITES THROUGH THE TAF CYCLE.  GUSTY NWLY WINDS
WILL PERSIST TODAY AND TONIGHT.  AFTER BRIEF VFR CONDITIONS THIS
MRNG...CIGS WILL DETERIORATE TO MVFR THROUGH MUCH OF TODAY...WITH
INTERMITTENT IFR POSSIBLE.  A FEW HOURS OF LIGHT SNOW ARE POSSIBLE
THIS MRNG/EARLY AFTN...AND WILL BRING VIS DOWN TO AROUND IFR WHEN
SNOW IS FALLING AS LIGHT SNOW COMBINES WITH GUSTY WINDS.  CONDITIONS
WILL IMPROVE SOMEWHAT LATER THIS AFTN/THIS EVNG AS SNOW ENDS AND
CIGS LIFT...BUT ANOTHER WAVE COULD BRING LT SNOW BACK INTO TAF SITES
LATE IN THE TAF CYCLE.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR NEZ011-012-016>018-
     030>033-042>044-050-051-065-066-078-088-089.

IA...NONE.
&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 13, 4:15 PM CST, 11 hours 45 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
415 PM CST SAT FEB 13 2010

IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-
042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-141200-
ANTELOPE-BOONE-BURT-BUTLER-CASS-CEDAR-COLFAX-CUMING-DODGE-DOUGLAS-
FREMONT IA-GAGE-HARRISON IA-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-KNOX-LANCASTER-MADISON-
MILLS IA-MONONA IA-MONTGOMERY IA-NEMAHA-OTOE-PAGE IA-PAWNEE-PIERCE-
PLATTE-POTTAWATTAMIE IA-RICHARDSON-SALINE-SARPY-SAUNDERS-SEWARD-
SHELBY IA-STANTON-THURSTON-WASHINGTON-WAYNE-
415 PM CST SAT FEB 13 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST
IOWA...WEST CENTRAL IOWA...EAST CENTRAL NEBRASKA...NORTHEAST
NEBRASKA AND SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND SUNDAY

LIGHT SNOW COUPLED WITH NORTHWEST WINDS GUSTING 20 TO 30 MPH WILL
RESULT IN AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW BY MIDNIGHT AND CONTINUING THROUGH
SUNDAY. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS SHOULD BE ON THE LIGHT SIDE...AROUND AN
INCH OR SO.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY

AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW WILL LIKELY PERSIST SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY
MAINLY FOR LOCATIONS ALONG AND EAST OF THE MISSOURI RIVER VALLEY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

STORM SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

DEE

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 winter weather, 11 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Knox

When
February 14, 4:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Knox forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
42.637, -97.892 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Cedar

When
February 14, 4:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Cedar forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
42.599, -97.252 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Antelope

When
February 14, 4:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Antelope forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
42.177, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Pierce

When
February 14, 4:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Pierce forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
42.264, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Madison

When
February 14, 4:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Madison forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
41.917, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with a peak gust of 47 mph recorded by the Asos sensor in Norfolk. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. A 45-year-old male was killed early in the morning on the 15th after being hit while walking away from his vehicle which had hit a snowdrift and rolled. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Wayne

When
February 14, 5:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Wayne forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
42.209, -97.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. These conditions briefly dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the morning of the 14th. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. In all, over 30 vehicles needed towing in the county because of the storm and periods of drifting snow that followed over the next few days.

Winter Weather, Stanton

When
February 14, 5:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Stanton forecast zone
Injuries
0 direct, 6 indirect
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.917, -97.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. These conditions briefly dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the morning of the 14th. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. A six vehicle accident on Highway 275 during the late morning of the 14th closed the highway and sent 6 people to a local hospital.

Winter Weather, Colfax

When
February 14, 5:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:30 AM CST
Where
Colfax forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.574, -97.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. These conditions briefly dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the morning of the 14th. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard, Boone

When
February 14, 6:00 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where
Boone forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
41.707, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. A peak gust of 47 mph was measured by the Awos in Albion. The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities and strand at least several vehicles in the county. There were also several multi-vehicle crashes, including 5-vehicle accident on Highway 14 near Petersburg.

Winter Weather, Saunders

When
February 14, 7:00 AM CST to February 15, 5:00 AM CST
Where
Saunders forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.226, -96.637 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph.|This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted late in the evening on the 14th continuing into the morning of the 15th. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th causing a 12 vehicle pileup near Cedar Bluffs. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. Many roads and highways in the county were closed for a time because of drifting snow or poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Lancaster

When
February 14, 7:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where
Lancaster forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
40.784, -96.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph.|This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities, mainly in the morning and early afternoon of 2/14. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard, Antelope

When
February 14, 7:00 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where
Antelope forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
42.177, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Blizzard, Knox

When
February 14, 7:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where
Knox forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
42.637, -97.892 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Blizzard, Pierce

When
February 14, 7:30 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where
Pierce forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
42.264, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Blizzard, Madison

When
February 14, 7:30 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where
Madison forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
41.917, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard, Cedar

When
February 14, 7:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where
Cedar forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
42.599, -97.252 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th. Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Blizzard, Platte

When
February 14, 8:00 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where
Platte forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
41.571, -97.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph. The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. This caused at least 10 accidents on roads in Platte county and forced the closure of Highway 30 east of Columbus. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard, Butler

When
February 14, 8:00 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where
Butler forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.226, -97.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 45mph. The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Thurston

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to February 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Thurston forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
42.158, -96.544 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph.|This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted late in the evening on the 14th continuing into the morning of the 15th. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Winter Weather, Cuming

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to February 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Cuming forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.916, -96.787 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph.|This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted late in the evening on the 14th continuing into the morning of the 15th. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Winter Weather, Burt

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to February 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Burt forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
41.852, -96.329 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 40 mph. A peak wind gust of 41 mph was measured by the Asos at Tekamah. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted late in the evening on the 14th continuing into the morning of the 15th. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Dodge

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to February 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Dodge forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.578, -96.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. A peak wind gust of 36 mph was measured by the Awos in Fremont. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted into the morning of the 15th. A 35-year-old female was killed when her pickup rolled after hitting a snow drift on Highway 30 west of Fremont. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Washington

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to February 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Washington forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.531, -96.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted into the morning of the 15th. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather, Douglas

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to February 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Douglas forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
41.295, -96.154 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. A peak gust of 38 mph was measured by Asos at Omaha Eppley. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. Slick roads caused numerous vehicles to slide off roads, especially on Interstates 80 and 680 in the Omaha area.

Winter Weather, Sarpy

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to February 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Sarpy forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
41.113, -96.112 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. A peak gust of 35 mph was measured at Offutt AFB. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted. The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities. The slick roads, strong winds and poor visibilities caused numerous vehicles to leave roadways, including several that rolled.

Winter Weather, Cass

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to February 15, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Cass forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 2 indirect
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
40.910, -96.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14. The visibilities occasionally dropped to near zero for an hour or two late in the morning of the 14th. The poor visibility caused a 25 car pileup on Interstate 80 near Ashland in which a 20-year-old female was killed when a semi-truck ran into her car which had pulled into the median to avoid other cars which had crashed. Another multi-car pileup was reported on Highway 34. After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted. The drifting snow, icy conditions and poor visibilities caused a pickup truck to roll early in the morning of the 15th killing a 57-year-old male. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard, Seward

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to 12:30 PM CST
Where
Seward forecast zone
Injuries
0 direct, 3 indirect
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
40.872, -97.139 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 45mph. The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Five emergency/law enforcement vehicles were hit when responding to crashes causing 3 injuries to responding personnel. A 10-mile stretch of Interstate 80 was literally plugged up with accidents west of Seward causing it to come to a standstill. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard, Saline

When
February 14, 9:00 AM CST to 12:30 PM CST
Where
Saline forecast zone
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
40.524, -97.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 45mph. The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard, Gage

When
February 14, 10:00 AM CST to 1:00 PM CST
Where
Gage forecast zone
Injuries
0 direct, 6 indirect
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
40.262, -96.689 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 45mph. The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero. This caused a 14 car pileup west of Beatrice on Highway 4, closing the highway for 2 hours and causing 6 injuries. Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Winter Weather, Madison2010-02-1545MaleOutside/Open AreasIndirect
Winter Weather, Dodge2010-02-1535FemaleVehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect
Winter Weather, Cass2010-02-1420FemaleVehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect
Winter Weather, Cass2010-02-1557MaleVehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect

What these are

Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Blizzard
Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Nebraska in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, February 2010

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 208226, 208227, 208229, 208233, 208235, 208241, 208244, 208245, 208266, 208247, 208248, 208261, 208260, 208262, 208264, 208275, 208270, 208271, 208249, 208250, 208251, 208252, 208253, 208254, 208255, 208256, 208272, 208274, 208273.