Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Nebraska, January 6 to 8, 2010

Name: Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Nebraska, January 6 to 8, 2010
Start: 2010-01-06T02:00
End: 2010-01-08T12:00
Location: Nebraska

January 6 to 8, 2010 · NWS OAX · 90 events in 30 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 90 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: 2
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 90

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.

This was the third winter storm in a month that hit eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa and was caused by an upper level disturbance that dropped out of Canada and closed off over the central plains before moving off to the east. This system pulled down Arctic air behind it and not only produced strong winds but also dangerously cold wind chill values. Even though snow amounts from this storm were about half as much or less than the storms that hit in December of 2009, and winds were similar or perhaps even a bit lighter, they lasted a relatively long time. Plus the snow from this storm fell on top of a base of older snow that was around 10 to 20 inches deep over much of the area. Thus, substantial blowing and drifting snow was observed with visibilities frequently 1 mile or less. In addition, the drifting snow from this storm was possibly worse than the prior two storms and many, if not most, rural roads became impassable for several days, as did many highways and interstates over the region. Due to drifts which reached as high as 12 feet and during the height of the storm 100 percent of county roads in eastern Nebraska were partially or completely closed and 95 percent of highways in northeast Nebraska were blocked. The task of snow removal was so daunting in some areas that the Department of Roads sent large rotary plows and other equipment from western Nebraska to help churn snow off the roads in eastern Nebraska. Many schools were closed for 3 days because of the snow and blowing snow at first, then because of the drifting snow and dangerously cold wind chills that persisted.

Snow totals were generally 3 to 6 inches from the storm with 6 inches at Nebraska City, around 5 inches at the NWS office near Valley, at Omaha-Eppley, Shubert, and Papillion among the highest reported. President Obama granted disaster declarations for many counties hit by this storm and the one in late December. In a letter requesting the aid, the governor of Nebraska stated the severity and magnitude of the storms were beyond the capabilities of the state.

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 Jan 5, 3:03 PM CST, 10 hours 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 5, 3:03 PM CST, 10 hours 57 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
303 PM CST TUE JAN 5 2010

.SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY...

LOOKS LIKE OUR 3RD WINTER STORM IN THE LAST MONTH WILL BEGIN
IMPACTING THE CWA WED MORNING. VERY GOOD GENERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN
OPERATIONAL 12Z RUNS BETWEEN NAM/GFS AND ECMWF. ALTHOUGH SNOW
AMOUNTS FROM THIS ONE WILL LIKELY BE 1/2 OR LESS AS MUCH AS THE
CHRISTMAS STORM...SNOW HAS NOWHERE TO GO SO BLOWING/DRIFTING WILL
BE BAD...PLUS WIND CHILLS...ESPECIALLY LATE WED NIGHT THROUGH
THURSDAY AND BEYOND... WILL BE MUCH COLDER. BECAUSE OF THOSE
REASONS UPGRADED WATCH TO WINTER STORM WARNING ALL ZONES. MAIN
WILD CARD WILL BE SUSTAINED VISIBILITIES...OR LACK OF THEM...IN
BLOWING SNOW AND THIS COULD LEAD TO FURTHER HEADLINE CHANGES
LATER.

EARLY AFTN STLT IMAGERY SHOWED DEVELOPING STORM OVER CANADA WITH A
BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE ALOFT OVER SRN CANADA AND A PIECE OF
ENERGY BEGINNING TO CROSS THE BORDER INTO NW MT AT 19Z. AGAIN WITH
ABOVE MENTIONED MODELS VERY SIMILAR...CONFIDENCE FAIRLY HIGH THAT ENERGY
WILL CLOSE OFF A 500 MB LOW OVR ERN SD BY 00Z THU AND THEN TRACK
INTO SCNTRL IA/NCNTRL MO VCNTY BY 12Z THU. THIS LENDS SUPPORT TO
THE MODEL FORECAST OF MOVING A HGT FALL CENTER FM NCNTRL NEBR AT
00Z THU TO NCNTRL MO BY 12Z THU. THIS WOULD PUT NERN NEBR AND
SPCLY WRN IA AT RISK FOR A SLIGHTLY HEAVIER SNOW BAND TO SET UP
WITH ISENTROPIC LIFT DRIVEN SNOW...WHICH SHOULD BEGIN IN ERNEST
WED AM...FOLLOWED BY SOME PSBL WRAPAROUND SNOW LATER IN THE DAY
NEAR 700 MB LOW TRACK. PLUS GFS HINTED AT SOME POSSIBLE SLANT-
WISE INSTABILITY BY 18Z WED ERN ZONES ALONG WITH LIFT A BIT LONGER
IN DENDRITIC LAYER ADDING TO SNOW RATES SOME. THUS BUMPED UP SNOW
AMOUNTS JUST A BIT NERN ZONES TO INCLUDE SOME 6 INCH AMOUNTS.
MODELS QPF PLACEMENT GENERALLY FIT THIS...SPCLY PER 12Z
GEM/ECMWF...AND A MODEL BLEND OF OF THEIR 1/3-1/2 INCH AMOUNTS AND
USING A 15-1 LSR ALSO SUPPORTS 5-6 INCHES NERN ZONES. ALTHOUGH
SNOW AMOUNTS LOOK TO BE LESS OVER WRN ZONES...850 MB JET FORECAST
TO REACH 50 KTS WRN ZONES WED NGT...SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN MOST
MODELS WERE FORECASTING YDA. SO CONCEIVABLY A BIT STRONGER WINDS
THERE COMPARED TO ERN ZONES COULD CAUSE MORE BLOWING/DRIFTING
SNOW...SPCLY SINCE NW APPEARED TO GET A LITTLE MORE SNOW THIS PAST
WEEKEND. WITH STRONG WINDS CONTINUING THRU THU...COMBINED WITH
TEMPS FALLING TO NEAR OR BELOW...WIND CHILL VALUES SHOULD EASILY
REACH ADVISORY CRITERIA BY THU AM AND PROBABLY EVEN WARNING
CRITERIA. THUS THE LONG-LIVED NATURE TO THIS WINTER STORM
WARNING. SOME WIND CHILL HEADLINES WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED AFTER
BLOWING/DRIFTING IS DONE...PROBABLY THROUGH FRI. ALSO WITH
DITCHES/FIELDS ALREADY MOSTLY FULL OF SNOW...INCREASING WINDS WILL
HAVE NO TROUBLE DRIFTING ROADS SHUT...QUESTION WILL BE HOW LOW
WILL IT DRIVE DOWN VSBYS SINCE STRONGER WINDS WILL BE FOLLOWING
ENDING OF THE HEAVIER SNOW. NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS CERTAINLY
PROBABLE AND WL BE MENTIONED IN WSW AND A POSSIBLE UPGRADE IS NOT
OUT OF THE QUESTION. MADE SOME NON-DIURNAL TEMPERATURE
ADJUSTMENTS TO ACCOUNT FOR AN EVENING LOW E TONIGHT FOLLOWED BY
FALLING AFTN TEMPS FAR NW WED. TEMPS PROBABLY STRUGGLING TO GET
ABOVE ZERO MOST AREAS THU AFTN AND ESPECIALLY FRIDAY.

.LONG TERM...FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY.

MAIN CONCERN IS TEMPS AS BITTERLY COLD AIRMASS REMAINS IN PLACE
LEADING INTO THIS WEEKEND...THEN POSSIBLE REBOUNDING TEMPS
THEREAFTER. SHARP UPPER RIDGE SITUATED OVER THE ROCKIES FRIDAY
NIGHT WITH NORTHERLY MERIDIONAL FLOW OVER THE CENTRAL STATES
PUSHES SFC HIGH PRES SITUATED IN SD TO MO BY SAT MORNING. LIGHT
WINDS/LITTLE SKY COVER UNDER THE SFC HIGH WILL LIKELY ALLOW SAT
MORNING LOWS TO BOTTOM OUT AROUND 15 BELOW OVER THE CWA(ABOUT 25
DEGREES BELOW NORM)...WITH SAT AFTN HIGHS IN THE SINGLE
DIGITS(ABOUT 20 DEGREES BELOW NORM). MODELS AT THAT POINT
TEMPORARILY WEAKEN THE WRN RIDGE SHOWING EMBEDDED SHORTWAVE TROF
ENERGY MOVING THRU THE PAC NW AND EVENTUALLY INTO THE CNTRL PLAINS
SUN MORNING. AS EXPECTED TIMING DETAILS AMONGST ECM/GEM/GFS OUT OF
PHASE. ALL THOUGH SUGGEST DECENT UPPER SUPPORT WITH THE INCOMING
WAVE...BUT LACKING MID LVL AGEOSTROPHIC LIFT WILL LIMIT POPS TO
SLGT CATEGORY SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.

AS FOR REBOUNDING TEMPS...LATEST REMOP GUIDANCE GIVING CREDENCE TO
ECM SOLUTION THAT THE WRN RIDGE AXIS GRADUALLY SHIFTING EAST WITH
INFLUX OF WAA INTO THE PLAINS LATE IN THE FCST PD. ECM IS
PARTICULARLY BULLISH WITH WAA ACROSS THE NRN PLAINS. HOWEVER...OPER
GEM AND GEM ENSEMBLES ADVERTISE HOLDING THE RIDGE AXIS OVER THE
ROCKIES WITH CONTINUING COLD NORTHERLY MERIDIONAL FLOW. GIVEN HPC
PREFERENCE TO WARMING TREND...WILL LEAN TOWARD REMOP/ECM PROGS WITH
CWA WARMING INTO THE LOW 20S MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
&&

.AVIATION...
TAF SITES KOFK/KOMA/KLNK

18Z TAFS

LAYER OF LOW CLOUDS ACROSS CENTRAL NEBRASKA EXPECTED TO MOVE SLOWLY
EAST WITH LIFR CIGS SPREADING INTO THE TAF SITES THROUGH 06Z. LIFR
CIGS AND VSBYS IN LIGHT SNOW DEVELOPING AFTER 06Z.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 9 AM WEDNESDAY TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY
     FOR NEZ015-033-034-044-045-051>053-066>068-089>093.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 6 AM WEDNESDAY TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY
     FOR NEZ011-012-016>018-030>032-042-043-050-065-078-088.

IA...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 9 AM WEDNESDAY TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY
     FOR IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091.

&&

CHERMOK/DEE/FOBERT

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 5, 5:16 PM CST, 8 hours 44 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NE
516 PM CST TUE JAN 5 2010

NEZ011-012-016>018-030>032-042-043-050-065-078-088-061330-
KNOX-CEDAR-ANTELOPE-PIERCE-WAYNE-BOONE-MADISON-STANTON-PLATTE-
COLFAX-BUTLER-SEWARD-SALINE-JEFFERSON-
516 PM CST TUE JAN 5 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN NEBRASKA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY

A WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.
SNOW WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA LATE TONIGHT AND BECOME MODERATE OR
OCCASIONALLY HEAVY DURING THE MORNING THROUGH MID AFTERNOON. THE
SNOW SHOULD TAPER TO FLURRIES OR END WEDNESDAY EVENING. TOTAL
SNOWFALL OF 3 TO 6 INCHES IS LIKELY WITH THE HIGHER AMOUNTS FROM
AROUND NORFOLK EAST AND NORTHEASTWARD. WINDS WILL INCREASE FROM
LATE MORNING THROUGH MID AFTERNOON AND BY MID AFTERNOON NORTHWEST
WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED. THIS WILL
CREATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH CONDITIONS
LIKELY DETERIORATING THROUGH THE EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY

ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE ACCUMULATING SNOW SHOULD HAVE ENDED WEDNESDAY
NIGHT AND LITTLE OR NO SNOW IS EXPECTED THURSDAY...NORTHWEST WINDS
OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH WILL CONTINUE DURING MUCH OF
THIS PERIOD. THIS WILL CAUSE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW WITH NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. MANY ROADS WILL LIKELY DRIFT
SHUT. IN ADDITION...AS ARCTIC AIR PLUNGES INTO THE
REGION...FALLING TEMPERATURES AND STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE
DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILL VALUES OF 25 TO 40 BELOW FROM LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY. AT THESE VALUES...FROSTBITE CAN OCCUR
IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

STORM SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED TONIGHT OR WEDNESDAY.

IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ015-033-034-044-045-051>053-
066>068-089>093-061330-
MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-
PAGE-THURSTON-CUMING-BURT-DODGE-WASHINGTON-SAUNDERS-DOUGLAS-SARPY-
LANCASTER-CASS-OTOE-GAGE-JOHNSON-NEMAHA-PAWNEE-RICHARDSON-
516 PM CST TUE JAN 5 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN NEBRASKA
AND SOUTHWEST IOWA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY

A WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.
SNOW WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA EARLY WEDNESDAY AND BECOME MODERATE
OR OCCASIONALLY HEAVY FROM MID MORNING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. THE
SNOW SHOULD TAPER TO FLURRIES OR END LATE WEDNESDAY EVENING. TOTAL
SNOWFALL OF 4 TO 7 INCHES IS LIKELY WITH THE HIGHER AMOUNTS ALONG
AND EAST OF THE MISSOURI RIVER. INCREASING NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20
TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH WILL REACH THE LINCOLN AND FREMONT
AREAS BY MID AFTERNOON AND SPREAD ACROSS THE MISSOURI RIVER BY
EARLY EVENING.  THIS WILL CREATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW WITH CONDITIONS LIKELY DETERIORATING THROUGH THE EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY

ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE ACCUMULATING SNOW SHOULD HAVE ENDED WEDNESDAY
NIGHT AND LITTLE OR NO SNOW IS EXPECTED THURSDAY...NORTHWEST WINDS
OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH WILL CONTINUE DURING MUCH OF
THIS PERIOD. THIS WILL CAUSE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW WITH NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. MANY ROADS WILL LIKELY DRIFT
SHUT. IN ADDITION...AS ARCTIC AIR PLUNGES INTO THE
REGION...FALLING TEMPERATURES AND STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE
DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILL VALUES OF 25 TO 40 BELOW FROM LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY. AT THESE VALUES...FROSTBITE CAN OCCUR
IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

STORM SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED TONIGHT OR WEDNESDAY.

CHERMOK

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

30 winter storm, 30 winter weather, 17 cold/wind chill, 13 extreme cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Antelope

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Antelope forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.177, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 2 to 4 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 4 inches of snow was reported in Neligh for one of the highest observed in the county.

Winter Storm, Knox

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Knox forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.637, -97.892 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 5 inches of snow was reported in Bloomfield for one of the highest observed in the county. The combined weight of the snow from this storm and ones prior caused a barn to collapse crushing a Piper airplane causing an estimated $55,000 in damage.

Winter Storm, Cedar

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Cedar forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.599, -97.252 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 5 inches of snow was reported near Hartington for one of the highest observed in the county.

Winter Storm, Pierce

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Pierce forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.264, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Madison

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.917, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 4 inches was reported near Norfolk for one of the higher amounts reported in the county.

Winter Storm, Wayne

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.209, -97.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Thurston

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Thurston forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.158, -96.544 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Stanton

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Stanton forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.917, -97.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 2 to 4 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 50 stranded motorists on Highway 275 near the Madison and Stanton county line had to be rescued by snowplows. Around 3 inches of snow was reported from the storm near Stanton for one of the higher amounts in the county.

Winter Storm, Cuming

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Cuming forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.916, -96.787 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 5 inches was reported from the storm near West Point for one of the higher amounts in the county. The weight from the snow of this storm and ones prior caused the roof of a local gym to collapse early on Jan. 8th.

Winter Storm, Burt

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Burt forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.852, -96.329 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. New snowfall of around 4 inches in Tekamah was among the highest observed in the county.

Winter Storm, Boone

When: January 6, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.707, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Platte

When: January 6, 4:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Platte forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.571, -97.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Colfax

When: January 6, 4:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Colfax forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.574, -97.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Dodge

When: January 6, 4:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Dodge forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.578, -96.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 12 vehicles became stranded on Highway 30 between Fremont and North Bend because of drifting snow. New snowfall of around 4 inches near Uehling and a little over 3 inches in Fremont were among the highest observed in the county.

Winter Storm, Washington

When: January 6, 4:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.531, -96.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Douglas

When: January 6, 6:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.295, -96.154 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 4 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. The Interstate system in Omaha for a while was pegged as the worst one Dept. of Roads official had ever seen as blowing snow and traffic created a thin ice layer. Snowfall from the storm was around 5 inches at the NWS office near Valley and at Omaha-Eppley.

Winter Storm, Sarpy

When: January 6, 6:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Sarpy forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.113, -96.112 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 4 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Snowfall from the storm was around 5 inches in Papillion for one of the higher amounts in the county.

Winter Storm, Saunders

When: January 6, 6:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Saunders forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.226, -96.637 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Snowfall from the storm was around 4 inches in Wahoo for one of the higher amounts in the county.

Winter Storm, Butler

When: January 6, 6:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.226, -97.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 2 to 4 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Snowfall from the storm was around 2.5 inches in David City for one of the higher amounts in the county.

Winter Storm, Seward

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Seward forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.872, -97.139 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Lancaster

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Lancaster forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.784, -96.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 4 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 3 inches of snow was reported from the storm in Lincoln and near Raymond.

Winter Storm, Cass

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.910, -96.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Saline

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Saline forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.524, -97.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 2 to 3 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable.

Winter Storm, Jefferson

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.176, -97.143 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Gage

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Gage forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.262, -96.689 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 2 to 4 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Three inches of snow was reported from this storm near Beatrice.

Winter Storm, Otoe

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Otoe forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.649, -96.135 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 4 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 4 inches of snow was reported from this storm in Syracuse.

Winter Storm, Johnson

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Johnson forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.393, -96.265 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Nemaha

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Nemaha forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.388, -95.850 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 4 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 4 inches of snow was reported in Auburn for one of the higher amounts in the county.

Winter Storm, Pawnee

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Pawnee forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.132, -96.237 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Richardson

When: January 6, 7:30 AM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Richardson forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.125, -95.717 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches combined with increasing northwest winds and produced significant blowing and drifting snow across the county. Northwest winds picked up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph as the snow was ending. These strong winds then persisted for a few days afterward and caused near-blizzard conditions in open areas and produced substantial drifting that made most rural roads and many highways impassable. Around 5 inches of snow was reported in Shubert from the storm for one of the higher amounts in the county.

Winter Weather, Antelope

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Antelope forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.177, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Although the accumulating snow had ended by this time, sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts to 40 mph continued to cause areas of blowing snow along with substantial drifting snow. Visibilities occasionally fell below 1 mile and the persistent drifting snow kept many roads and highways drifted shut at least through this time period and in many cases for a day or two later. In addition, Arctic air spilling into the region had dropped temperatures to near zero or a bit colder and lowered wind chill values into the minus 15 to minus 25 degree range.

Winter Weather, Boone

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.707, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Knox

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Knox forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.637, -97.892 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Cedar

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cedar forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.599, -97.252 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Pierce

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Pierce forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.264, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Madison

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.917, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Wayne

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.209, -97.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Stanton

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Stanton forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.917, -97.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Cuming

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cuming forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.916, -96.787 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Thurston

When: January 6, 3:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Thurston forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.158, -96.544 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Burt

When: January 6, 5:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Burt forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.852, -96.329 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Platte

When: January 6, 5:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Platte forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.571, -97.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Colfax

When: January 6, 5:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Colfax forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.574, -97.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Dodge

When: January 6, 5:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Dodge forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.578, -96.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Washington

When: January 6, 5:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.531, -96.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Butler

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.226, -97.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Saunders

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Saunders forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 41.226, -96.637 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Douglas

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.295, -96.154 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Sarpy

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Sarpy forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.113, -96.112 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Lancaster

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lancaster forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.784, -96.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Seward

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Seward forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.872, -97.139 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Saline

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Saline forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.524, -97.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Jefferson

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.176, -97.143 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Cass

When: January 6, 9:00 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.910, -96.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Otoe

When: January 6, 10:30 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Otoe forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.649, -96.135 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Gage

When: January 6, 10:30 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Gage forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.262, -96.689 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Johnson

When: January 6, 10:30 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Johnson forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.393, -96.265 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Pawnee

When: January 6, 10:30 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Pawnee forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.132, -96.237 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Nemaha

When: January 6, 10:30 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Nemaha forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.388, -95.850 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Richardson

When: January 6, 10:30 PM CST to January 7, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Richardson forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.125, -95.717 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Knox

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Knox forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.637, -97.892 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 30 below to 35 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Cedar

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Cedar forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.599, -97.252 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Wayne

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.209, -97.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Pierce

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Pierce forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.264, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Antelope

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Antelope forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.177, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Boone

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.707, -98.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Madison

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.917, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Platte

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Platte forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.571, -97.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Stanton

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Stanton forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.917, -97.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Thurston

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Thurston forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.158, -96.544 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Cuming

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Cuming forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.916, -96.787 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Colfax

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Colfax forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.574, -97.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Butler

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.226, -97.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Burt

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Burt forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.852, -96.329 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Washington

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.531, -96.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Dodge

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Dodge forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.578, -96.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Saunders

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Saunders forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.226, -96.637 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Douglas

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.295, -96.154 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time. A 58-year-old woman was found unresponsive in the snow early in the morning on the 8th, she later died from exposure.

Cold/Wind Chill, Sarpy

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Sarpy forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.113, -96.112 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Cass

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.910, -96.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Otoe

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Otoe forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.649, -96.135 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Lancaster

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Lancaster forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.784, -96.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Seward

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Seward forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.872, -97.139 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Saline

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Saline forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.524, -97.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Jefferson

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.176, -97.143 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Gage

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Gage forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.262, -96.689 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Johnson

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Johnson forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.393, -96.265 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Pawnee

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Pawnee forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.132, -96.237 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Nemaha

When: January 7, 7:00 PM CST to January 8, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Nemaha forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.388, -95.850 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to 5 below to 10 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 15 to 25 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of 20 below to 30 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Richardson

When: January 7, 9:00 PM CST to January 8, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Richardson forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 40.125, -95.717 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Arctic air spilled into the region dropping temperatures to around 5 below zero. Although winds had decreased into the 10 to 20 mph range, they still produced wind chill values of around 20 below zero during much of this time period. Temperatures moderated slightly by midday on the 8th as winds continued to decrease. This allowed a modest recovery in wind chill values by that time.

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.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Winter Weather, Douglas	2010-01-07	41	Female	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Cold/Wind Chill, Douglas	2010-01-08	58	Female	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill: Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.
Cold/Wind Chill: Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, January 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: 202671, 202672, 202673, 202674, 202675, 202676, 202677, 202678, 202679, 202683, 202700, 202680, 202681, 202682, 202684, 202685, 202686, 202687, 202688, 202689, 202690, 202691, 202692, 202693, 202694, 202695, 202696, 202697, 202698, 202699, 202701, 202702, 202703, 202704, 202705, 202706, 202707, 202708, 202709, 202710, and more.