Cold in Kansas, February 1 to 3, 2011

Name: Cold in Kansas, February 1 to 3, 2011
Start: 2011-02-01T19:32
End: 2011-02-03T07:32
Location: Kansas

February 1 to 3, 2011 · NWS ICT · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

A massive winter storm of historic proportions affected the region from the early morning hours January 31st through the evening hours February 1st. As this storm moved to the east of the area sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifts, some of which exceeded 4 feet tall.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 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: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

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 ICT wrote it up.

A massive winter storm of historic proportions affected the region from the early morning hours January 31st through the evening hours February 1st.

As this storm moved to the east of the area sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifts, some of which exceeded 4 feet tall. Additionally, temperatures in the single digits and teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings as cold as minus 30 degrees, with the coldest readings over Central Kansas. Low temperature reading on the morning of February 3rd, ranged from minus 7 degrees in Newton, Kansas to minus 17 degrees in Smolan, Kansas. Unfortunately one person did die from cold exposure in Coffeyville, Kansas, after she fell while removing snow from her backyard, and was unable to get back up.

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 Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 1, 3:26 PM CST, 4 hours 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 1, 3:26 PM CST, 4 hours 6 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
326 PM CST TUE FEB 1 2011

.DISCUSSION...

FORECAST HIGHLIGHT FOCUS AROUND DEPARTING MAJOR WINTER STORM...WITH
BITTER COLD WIND CHILLS THE NEXT 48-72 HOURS.

MAJOR WINTER STORM IS CURRENTLY DEPARTING TO THE NORTHEAST...WITH
MID-LEVEL DEFORMATION AND ASSOCIATED LIGHT-MODERATE SNOW LINGERING
MAINLY EAST OF I-135. THINKING AN ADDITIONAL 1-3 INCHES OF SNOW WILL
BE POSSIBLE ALONG/EAST OF I-135...WITH THE GREATEST AMOUNTS
ALONG/EAST OF THE FLINT HILLS. THIS WILL BRING STORM TOTAL
ACCUMULATIONS TO 10-15 INCHES EAST OF THE FLINT HILLS...6-10 INCHES
ACROSS THE FLINT HILLS CORRIDOR/SOUTHEAST OF I-35...3-6 INCHES ALONG
THE I-135 CORRIDOR...AND 1-3 INCHES OVER CENTRAL KS.

SNOW SHOULD EXIT SOUTHEAST/EAST-CENTRAL KS BY 6-9 PM...ALTHOUGH
CONTINUED STRONG NORTH WINDS WILL RESULT IN CONTINUED GROUND
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN OPEN COUNTRY...ESPECIALLY EAST OF I-135.
THEREFORE...WILL CONTINUE THE BLIZZARD AND WINTER STORM WARNINGS
ALONG/EAST OF I-135 THROUGH 6 AM WEDNESDAY...ALTHOUGH THE
EVENING/OVERNIGHT SHIFTS MAY CANCEL THESE EARLY...ESPECIALLY IF
GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AREN'T AS BAD AS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT.
WHERE SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WEREN'T AS HIGH...WILL TRANSITION HEADLINES
OVER TO WIND CHILL WARNINGS/ADVISORIES GENERALLY WEST OF I-135
OVERNIGHT...WHERE OVERNIGHT WIND CHILLS WILL RANGE FROM 20 TO 30
BELOW ZERO. OVERNIGHT WIND CHILLS FARTHER EAST WILL ALSO BE -20 TO
-25 DEGREES...BUT FIGURED THE WINTER STORM/BLIZZARD WARNING
HEADLINES WOULD COVER THE BITTER COLD WIND CHILLS. WILL TRANSITION
ALL AREAS TO WIND CHILL WARNING/ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY MORNING.

VERY COLD DAY EXPECTED WEDNESDAY...WITH WIND CHILLS REMAINING BELOW
ZERO ALL DAY. WITH SURFACE RIDGE AXIS ROLLING OVER THE REGION ALONG
WITH CLEAR SKIES...WEDNESDAY NIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL DROP BELOW ZERO
ALL AREAS...WITH POTENTIAL RECORDS BEING BROKEN AT WICHITA AND
CHANUTE.

MID/UPPER RIDGE BUILDING IN FROM THE WEST WILL ATTEMPT TO MODERATE
TEMPERATURES LATE WEEK THROUGH THE WEEKEND...AS PACIFIC AIRMASS
ATTEMPTS TO FILTER EAST. HOWEVER...TEMPERATURES WILL BE RELUCTANT TO
WARM ESPECIALLY OVER THE DEEP SNOW PACK OVER EASTERN KS...WHERE THE
SUN'S ENERGY WILL BE USED TO MELT SNOW RATHER THAN THE EARTH'S
SURFACE. ADDITIONALLY...DUE TO THE INCREASED LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE FROM
THE MELTING SNOW...COULD BE LOOKING AT PERIODIC EPISODES OF
OVERNIGHT-MORNING FOG LATE WEEK-WEEKEND.

THERE REMAINS QUITE A BIT OF SPREAD BETWEEN THE VARIOUS MEDIUM RANGE
MODELS...BUT CONSENSUS WOULD SUGGEST ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW ARRIVING
SOMETIME SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. IT APPEARS THE GFS HAS BEEN
MORE CONSISTENT THAN THE ECMWF...BRINGING PRECIPITATION ACROSS
THE AREA SUNDAY-SUNDAY NIGHT...WHILE THE ECMWF WAITS TILL
MONDAY-MONDAY NIGHT. STILL SEVERAL DAYS OUT...SO WILL WAIT FOR LATER
FORECASTS BEFORE FINE TUNING. CONFIDENCE IS INCREASING THOUGH THAT
ANOTHER COLD SNAP WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR MONDAY AND BEYOND...AS A
LONGWAVE TROUGH CARVES OUT ACROSS MID-AMERICA PER GFS/ECMWF.

ADK

&&

.AVIATION...18Z TAFS KRSL/KSLN/KHUT/KICT/KCNU

COMBO OF IFR/LIFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE
AFTERNOON DUE TO COMBO OF SNOW/BLOWING SNOW. WHILE PRECIPITATION
SHOULD WANE LATE IN THE AFTERNOON/EVENING...GUSTY WINDS WILL KEEP
FAIR AMOUNT OF BLOWING SNOW AND RESULTANT VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS
THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. DRIER LOW LEVEL AIR IS FORECAST TO SPREAD
OVER ALL BUT KCNU BEFORE THE END OF FORECAST WHICH SHOULD RESULT
IN CLEAR/SCATTERED SKY CONDITIONS.

HOWERTON

&&

.CLIMATE...

COULD BE LOOKING AT A RECORD COLD HIGH TEMPERATURE AT CHANUTE FOR
WEDNESDAY...THE RECORD IS 11 DEGREES SET IN 1917.
ADDITIONALLY...RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES COULD BE BROKEN AT CHANUTE
AND WICHITA FOR THURSDAY MORNING. CHANUTE'S RECORD IS -8 SET BACK
IN 1996...AND WICHITA'S RECORD IS -7 SET BACK IN 1989.

ADK

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
WICHITA-KICT    -1  12  -4  21 /  20  10  10   0
HUTCHINSON      -3  13  -3  25 /  20  10  10   0
NEWTON          -4  11  -4  22 /  30  10  10   0
ELDORADO        -2  10  -6  18 /  40  10  10   0
WINFIELD-KWLD    0  12  -7  17 /  20  10  10  10
RUSSELL         -5  13  -4  29 /  20  10  10   0
GREAT BEND      -4  13  -3  29 /  20  10  10   0
SALINA          -3  13  -3  26 /  40  10  10   0
MCPHERSON       -4  13  -3  25 /  30  10  10   0
COFFEYVILLE      1  12  -9  15 /  50  10  10  10
CHANUTE          0  11 -10  15 /  70  10  10  10
IOLA             0  11 -10  15 /  70  10  10  10
PARSONS-KPPF     0  11  -9  15 /  60  10  10  10

&&

.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 6 AM TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY FOR KSZ053-
069>072-083-092>096-098>100.

BLIZZARD WARNING UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR KSZ071-072-094>096-
098>100.

WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR KSZ049-051>053-
068>070-083-092-093.

WIND CHILL WARNING FROM 6 AM TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY FOR KSZ049-
051-052-068.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT FOR KSZ032-
033-047-048-050-067-082-091.

WIND CHILL WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY
FOR KSZ032-033-047-048-050-067.

WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY
FOR KSZ082-091.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 1, 4:31 PM CST, 3 hours 1 minute before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
431 PM CST TUE FEB 1 2011

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-022245-
RUSSELL-LINCOLN-BARTON-ELLSWORTH-SALINE-RICE-MCPHERSON-MARION-CHASE-
RENO-HARVEY-BUTLER-GREENWOOD-WOODSON-ALLEN-KINGMAN-SEDGWICK-HARPER-
SUMNER-COWLEY-ELK-WILSON-NEOSHO-CHAUTAUQUA-MONTGOMERY-LABETTE-
431 PM CST TUE FEB 1 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL KANSAS...
SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM WILL COME TO AN END THIS
EVENING ACROSS THE AREA...ALTHOUGH BLOWING SNOW AND DANGEROUS
WIND CHILLS WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT. PLEASE REFER TO THE VARIOUS
WINTER WEATHER WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES IN EFFECT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE ANTICIPATED THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.
PLEASE REFER TO THE WIND CHILL WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES IN EFFECT
FOR MORE INFORMATION. BITTER COLD WIND CHILLS WILL CONTINUE TO
AFFECT THE AREA THURSDAY MORNING...AS WELL AS THURSDAY NIGHT
THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

LIGHT SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. IT
REMAINS TOO EARLY TO SPECULATE ON POTENTIAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED TONIGHT.

&&

FOR A GRAPHICAL VERSION OF THIS INFORMATION...SEE OUR
WEBPAGE AT (LOWERCASE) HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/WICHITA/HWO/HWO.PHP

LAWSON/ADK

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 1, 5:28 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
528 PM CST TUE FEB 01 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0526 PM     BLIZZARD         YATES CENTER            37.87N 95.74W
02/01/2011                   WOODSON            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 13 INCHES WITH 4 FOOT DRIFTS.

&&

BDK

Local storm report, Feb 1, 5:29 PM CST, 2 hours 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
529 PM CST TUE FEB 01 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0528 PM     BLIZZARD         FREDONIA                37.53N 95.82W
02/01/2011                   WILSON             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFOREMENT REPORTS 11 INCHES OF SNOW HAS FALLEN WITH
            DRIFTS BETWEEN 3 TO 4 FEET.

&&

DUNTEN

Local storm report, Feb 1, 5:33 PM CST, 1 hour 59 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
533 PM CST TUE FEB 01 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0532 PM     SNOW             HARPER                  37.29N 98.03W
02/01/2011  E4.0 INCH        HARPER             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            2 TO 4 INCHES WITH 1 FOOT DRIFTS.

&&

BDK

Local storm report, Feb 1, 5:39 PM CST, 1 hour 53 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
539 PM CST TUE FEB 01 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     SNOW             4 S MAIZE               37.72N 97.46W
02/01/2011  E4.5 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   NWS EMPLOYEE

            1 FOOT DRIFTS.

&&

BDK

Local storm report, Feb 1, 5:40 PM CST, 1 hour 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
540 PM CST TUE FEB 01 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1200 PM     SNOW             SALINA                  38.82N 97.62W
02/01/2011  E2.9 INCH        SALINE             KS   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC ESTIMATES 2.9 INCHES OF SNOW.

1237 PM     SNOW             DEXTER                  37.18N 96.72W
02/01/2011  E5.0 INCH        COWLEY             KS   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC ESTIMATES 5 INCHES OF SNOW WITH VISIBILITIES OF 2
            BLOCKS.

1240 PM     SNOW             1 SW WINFIELD           37.26N 96.98W
02/01/2011  E3.5 INCH        COWLEY             KS   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            EM VOLUNTEER ESTIMATES 3.5 INCHES OF SNOW.

0106 PM     SNOW             6 N EL DORADO           37.91N 96.86W
02/01/2011  E4.0 INCH        BUTLER             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 4 INCHES OF SNOW.

0111 PM     BLIZZARD         IOLA                    37.93N 95.40W
02/01/2011                   ALLEN              KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS AREAS OF 12 INCHES OF SNOW WITH
            DRIFTS UP TO 2 FEET AND VISIBILITIES OF A QUARTER MILE.

0114 PM     BLIZZARD         YATES CENTER            37.87N 95.74W
02/01/2011                   WOODSON            KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            THERE ARE 8 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOWFALL WITH DRIFTS OF 1 TO
            3 FEET AND REDUCDED VISIBILITIES OF 50 TO 200 FEET
            ACCORDING TO AN EMERGENCY MANAGER.

0123 PM     BLIZZARD         1 ENE INDEPENDENCE      37.24N 95.70W
02/01/2011                   MONTGOMERY         KS   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED SPOTTER ESTIMATES 8 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW WITH
            DRIFTS UP TO 4 FEET AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES OF LESS THAN
            A QUARTER OF A MILE IN TOWN. SNOWFALL RATES HAVE
            INCREASED RECENTLY TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR.

0128 PM     HEAVY SNOW       ARKANSAS CITY           37.07N 97.04W
02/01/2011  M9.5 INCH        COWLEY             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            ACCORDING TO THE EMERGENCY MANAGER...9.5 INCHES OF SNOW
            HAS FALLEN WITH VISIBILITIES OF A QUARTER OF A MILE.

0145 PM     BLIZZARD         CHERRYVALE              37.27N 95.55W
02/01/2011                   MONTGOMERY         KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT ESTIMATING 12 TO 13 INCHES OF SNOW WITH
            REDUCED VISIBILITIES TO 300 YARDS AND 3 FOOT DRIFTS.

0145 PM     BLIZZARD         FREDONIA                37.53N 95.82W
02/01/2011                   WILSON             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTING 8 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOWFALL AND
            DRIFTS OF 2 TO 4 FEET TO THE EMERGENCY MANAGER. HEAVY
            SNOW CONTINUES TO FALL WITH REDUCED VISIBILITIES OF A
            QUARTER OF A MILE OR LESS.

0201 PM     BLIZZARD         OSWEGO                  37.17N 95.11W
02/01/2011                   LABETTE            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            DISPATCH REPORTING AT LEAST 12 INCHES OF SNOW WITH
            REDUCDED VISIBILITY TO ABOUT A BLOCK. LOTS OF BLOWING
            SNOW IS PRODUCING DRIFTS OF 4 TO 5 FEET AND MAKING MANY
            ROADS IMPASSABLE.

0207 PM     HEAVY SNOW       WINFIELD                37.27N 96.97W
02/01/2011  E7.0 INCH        COWLEY             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 7 INCHES OF SNOW WITH DRIFTS
            OVER A FOOT.

0209 PM     BLIZZARD         SEDAN                   37.13N 96.18W
02/01/2011                   CHAUTAUQUA         KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT ESTIMATES A FOOT OF SNOW HAS FALLEN.
            VISIBILITIES HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO 50 YARDS.

0209 PM     HEAVY SNOW       WELLINGTON              37.27N 97.40W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        SUMNER             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 6 INCHES OF SNOW AND DRIFTS
            UP TO 2 FEET. VISIBILITY HAS BEEN REDUCDED TO 200 FEET.

0222 PM     BLIZZARD         ERIE                    37.57N 95.24W
02/01/2011                   NEOSHO             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 9 INCHES OF SNOW HAS FALLEN
            WITH EXTREMELY HEAVY SNOW CONTINUING TO FALL. WINDS
            AROUND 30 MPH CREATING DRIFTS THAT ARE INCREASINGLY
            MAKING ROADS IMPASSABLE. VISIBILITIES REDUCDED TO 100
            YARDS.

0222 PM     BLIZZARD         HOWARD                  37.47N 96.26W
02/01/2011                   ELK                KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT ESTIMATING 7 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW WITH
            DRIFTS OF 4 TO 5 FEET AND VISIBILITIES REDUCED TO ALMOST
            ZERO OR TO A HALF OF A MILE.

0222 PM     HEAVY SNOW       EUREKA                  37.82N 96.29W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        GREENWOOD          KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT ESTIMATES 6 INCHES OF SNOW WITH DRIFTS OF
            UP TO 2 FEET IN TOWN AND VISIBILITY DOWN TO A BLOCK.

0236 PM     HEAVY SNOW       1 W PARSONS             37.34N 95.29W
02/01/2011  M11.0 INCH       LABETTE            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED SPOTTER MEASURES 11 INCHES OF SNOW WITH DRIFTS OF
            20.5 INCHES.

0236 PM     HEAVY SNOW       TOWANDA                 37.80N 97.00W
02/01/2011  E4.0 INCH        BUTLER             KS   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORT VIA KAKE IS 4 INCHES OF SNOW WITH 12 INCH
            DRIFTS.

0246 PM     HEAVY SNOW       CANEY                   37.01N 95.93W
02/01/2011  M10.0 INCH       MONTGOMERY         KS   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED SPOTTER MEASURES 10 INCHES OF SNOW WITH DRIFTS UP
            TO 21 INCHES.

0300 PM     HEAVY SNOW       1 W PARSONS             37.34N 95.29W
02/01/2011  M13.0 INCH       LABETTE            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER REPORTS 13 INCHES OF SNOW WITH A 29 INCH SNOW
            DRIFT.

0303 PM     BLIZZARD         SEDAN                   37.13N 96.18W
02/01/2011                   CHAUTAUQUA         KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS HIGHWAY 99 NORTH OF SEDAN TO
            THE ELK COUNTY LINE HAS ZERO VISIBILITY. HIGHWAY 99 SOUTH
            OF SEDAN AND HIGHWAY 166 ARE BOTH SNOW PACKED.

0305 PM     BLIZZARD         YATES CENTER            37.87N 95.74W
02/01/2011                   WOODSON            KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS VISIBILITY AT 1/8TH OF A MILE
            WITH SNOW FALL ESTIMATES BETWEEN 8 TO 12 INCHES.

0330 PM     SNOW             4 S MAIZE               37.72N 97.46W
02/01/2011  E4.5 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   NWS EMPLOYEE

            1 FOOT DRIFTS.

0332 PM     BLIZZARD         ELSMORE                 37.79N 95.15W
02/01/2011                   ALLEN              KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTS DELAWARE ROAD BETWEEN COUNTY
            ROAD 4200 TO 5000 IS CLOSED.

0357 PM     HEAVY SNOW       4 SE DOWNTOWN WICHITA   37.65N 97.29W
02/01/2011  E6.5 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORTS 6.5 INCHES OF SNOW WITH DRIFTS RANGING
            FROM 11 INCHES TO 2 FEET.

0400 PM     HEAVY SNOW       WINFIELD                37.27N 96.97W
02/01/2011  E7.5 INCH        COWLEY             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            14 INCH DRIFTS ACROSS TOWN.

0421 PM     SNOW             ELLINWOOD               38.36N 98.58W
02/01/2011  E1.0 INCH        BARTON             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS AN INCH OF SNOW WITH SNOW DRIFTS
            BETWEEN 18 INCHES TO 2 FEET.

0426 PM     HEAVY SNOW       COTTONWOOD FALLS        38.37N 96.54W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        CHASE              KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS 5 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW HAS FALLEN
            WITH DRIFTS UP TO 3.5 FEET.

0429 PM     SNOW             LINCOLN                 39.04N 98.15W
02/01/2011  E2.0 INCH        LINCOLN            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS BETWEEN 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW HAS
            FALLEN.

0429 PM     SNOW             ELLSWORTH               38.74N 98.23W
02/01/2011  E1.0 INCH        ELLSWORTH          KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0433 PM     SNOW             KINGMAN                 37.65N 98.11W
02/01/2011  E3.0 INCH        KINGMAN            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            6 INCH DRIFTS.

0434 PM     SNOW             MARION                  38.35N 97.02W
02/01/2011  E4.0 INCH        MARION             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0434 PM     HEAVY SNOW       FLORENCE                38.24N 96.93W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        MARION             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0436 PM     SNOW             MCPHERSON               38.37N 97.66W
02/01/2011  E3.0 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0439 PM     SNOW             RUSSELL                 38.89N 98.85W
02/01/2011  E1.0 INCH        RUSSELL            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS BETWEEN 0.5 TO 1 INCH OF SNOW HAS
            FALLEN.

0439 PM     SNOW             LYONS                   38.35N 98.20W
02/01/2011  E1.0 INCH        RICE               KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0440 PM     HEAVY SNOW       DEXTER                  37.18N 96.72W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        COWLEY             KS   PUBLIC

0441 PM     SNOW             WELLINGTON              37.27N 97.40W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        SUMNER             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            5 TO 6 INCHES. 2 TO 4 FOOT DRIFTS.

0444 PM     HEAVY SNOW       SALINA                  38.82N 97.62W
02/01/2011  E4.0 INCH        SALINE             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFOREMENT REPORTS 3 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW WITH DRIFTS
            OVER A FOOT.

0445 PM     SNOW             HAVEN                   37.90N 97.78W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        RENO               KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0445 PM     SNOW             2 W WEST WICHITA        37.69N 97.50W
02/01/2011  E4.0 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   NWS EMPLOYEE

0445 PM     HEAVY SNOW       ROSE HILL               37.57N 97.13W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        BUTLER             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

0445 PM     HEAVY SNOW       SPIVEY                  37.45N 98.17W
02/01/2011  E4.0 INCH        KINGMAN            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER REPORTS BETWEEN 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW.

0445 PM     HEAVY SNOW       AUGUSTA                 37.69N 96.98W
02/01/2011  E6.0 INCH        BUTLER             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

0445 PM     HEAVY SNOW       EL DORADO               37.82N 96.86W
02/01/2011  E7.0 INCH        BUTLER             KS   AMATEUR RADIO

0445 PM     HEAVY SNOW       ARKANSAS CITY           37.07N 97.04W
02/01/2011  E10.0 INCH       COWLEY             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            BLOWING SNOW WITH 3/4 MILE VISIBILITY.

0445 PM     SNOW             HUTCHINSON              38.07N 97.91W
02/01/2011  E3.0 INCH        RENO               KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0450 PM     SNOW             NEWTON                  38.04N 97.34W
02/01/2011  E2.0 INCH        HARVEY             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            ONE FOOT DRIFTS, WITH NUMEROUS CARS STUCK IN THE DRIFTS.

0459 PM     SNOW             MCPHERSON               38.37N 97.66W
02/01/2011  E4.6 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   TRAINED SPOTTER

0513 PM     SNOW             EL DORADO               37.82N 96.86W
02/01/2011  E5.0 INCH        BUTLER             KS   NWS EMPLOYEE

0517 PM     HEAVY SNOW       HOWARD                  37.47N 96.26W
02/01/2011  E10.0 INCH       ELK                KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORECEMENT REPORTS 8-10 INCHES OF SNOW WITH 4 TO 5
            FOOT SNOW DRIFTS ON COUNTY ROADS.

0520 PM     BLIZZARD         5 NW ERIE               37.62N 95.31W
02/01/2011                   NEOSHO             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS 13 INCHES OF SNOW HAS FALLEN.

0520 PM     BLIZZARD         ALTAMONT                37.19N 95.29W
02/01/2011                   LABETTE            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS 12 TO 14 INCHES OF SNOW HAS
            FALLEN WITH 4 TO 5 FOOT SNOW DRIFTS.

0526 PM     BLIZZARD         YATES CENTER            37.87N 95.74W
02/01/2011                   WOODSON            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 13 INCHES WITH 4 FOOT DRIFTS.

0528 PM     BLIZZARD         FREDONIA                37.53N 95.82W
02/01/2011                   WILSON             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LAW ENFOREMENT REPORTS 11 INCHES OF SNOW HAS FALLEN WITH
            DRIFTS BETWEEN 3 TO 4 FEET.

0532 PM     SNOW             HARPER                  37.29N 98.03W
02/01/2011  E4.0 INCH        HARPER             KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            2 TO 4 INCHES WITH 1 FOOT DRIFTS.

&&

THE TOTALS BELOW ARE SEPARATED INTO SNOW...AND ICE AND SLEET
CATEGORIES...THEN BY AMOUNT...AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE
FINAL AMOUNT FOR EACH LOCATION.

SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT

 INCHES  LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
 ------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
 13.00   1 W PARSONS              KS  LABETTE          0300 PM
                 SPOTTER REPORTS 13 INCHES OF SNOW WITH A 29
                 INCH SNOW DRIFT.
 11.00   1 W PARSONS              KS  LABETTE          0236 PM
                 TRAINED SPOTTER MEASURES 11 INCHES OF SNOW
                 WITH DRIFTS OF 20.5 INCHES.
 10.00   HOWARD                   KS  ELK              0517 PM
                 LAW ENFORECEMENT REPORTS 8-10 INCHES OF SNOW
                 WITH 4 TO 5 FOOT SNOW DRIFTS ON COUNTY ROADS.
 10.00   ARKANSAS CITY            KS  COWLEY           0445 PM
                 BLOWING SNOW WITH 3/4 MILE VISIBILITY.
 10.00   CANEY                    KS  MONTGOMERY       0246 PM
                 TRAINED SPOTTER MEASURES 10 INCHES OF SNOW
                 WITH DRIFTS UP TO 21 INCHES.
  9.50   ARKANSAS CITY            KS  COWLEY           0128 PM
                 ACCORDING TO THE EMERGENCY MANAGER...9.5
                 INCHES OF SNOW HAS FALLEN WITH VISIBILITIES
                 OF A QUARTER OF A MILE.
  7.50   WINFIELD                 KS  COWLEY           0400 PM
                 14 INCH DRIFTS ACROSS TOWN.
  7.00   EL DORADO                KS  BUTLER           0445 PM
  7.00   WINFIELD                 KS  COWLEY           0207 PM
                 EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 7 INCHES OF SNOW
                 WITH DRIFTS OVER A FOOT.
  6.50   4 SE DOWNTOWN WICHITA    KS  SEDGWICK         0357 PM
                 PUBLIC REPORTS 6.5 INCHES OF SNOW WITH DRIFTS
                 RANGING FROM 11 INCHES TO 2 FEET.
  6.00   AUGUSTA                  KS  BUTLER           0445 PM
  6.00   ROSE HILL                KS  BUTLER           0445 PM
  6.00   HAVEN                    KS  RENO             0445 PM
  6.00   WELLINGTON               KS  SUMNER           0441 PM
                 5 TO 6 INCHES. 2 TO 4 FOOT DRIFTS.
  6.00   DEXTER                   KS  COWLEY           0440 PM
  6.00   FLORENCE                 KS  MARION           0434 PM
  6.00   COTTONWOOD FALLS         KS  CHASE            0426 PM
                 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS 5 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW
                 HAS FALLEN WITH DRIFTS UP TO 3.5 FEET.
  6.00   EUREKA                   KS  GREENWOOD        0222 PM
                 LAW ENFORCEMENT ESTIMATES 6 INCHES OF SNOW
                 WITH DRIFTS OF UP TO 2 FEET IN TOWN AND
                 VISIBILITY DOWN TO A BLOCK.
  6.00   WELLINGTON               KS  SUMNER           0209 PM
                 EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 6 INCHES OF SNOW
                 AND DRIFTS UP TO 2 FEET. VISIBILITY HAS BEEN
                 REDUCDED TO 200 FEET.
  5.00   EL DORADO                KS  BUTLER           0513 PM
  5.00   DEXTER                   KS  COWLEY           1237 PM
                 PUBLIC ESTIMATES 5 INCHES OF SNOW WITH
                 VISIBILITIES OF 2 BLOCKS.
  4.60   MCPHERSON                KS  MCPHERSON        0459 PM
  4.50   4 S MAIZE                KS  SEDGWICK         0330 PM
                 1 FOOT DRIFTS.
  4.00   HARPER                   KS  HARPER           0532 PM
                 2 TO 4 INCHES WITH 1 FOOT DRIFTS.
  4.00   SPIVEY                   KS  KINGMAN          0445 PM
                 SPOTTER REPORTS BETWEEN 2 TO 4 INCHES OF
                 SNOW.
  4.00   2 W WEST WICHITA         KS  SEDGWICK         0445 PM
  4.00   SALINA                   KS  SALINE           0444 PM
                 LAW ENFOREMENT REPORTS 3 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW
                 WITH DRIFTS OVER A FOOT.
  4.00   MARION                   KS  MARION           0434 PM
  4.00   TOWANDA                  KS  BUTLER           0236 PM
                 PUBLIC REPORT VIA KAKE IS 4 INCHES OF SNOW
                 WITH 12 INCH DRIFTS.
  4.00   6 N EL DORADO            KS  BUTLER           0106 PM
                 EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 4 INCHES OF SNOW.
  3.50   1 SW WINFIELD            KS  COWLEY           1240 PM
                 EM VOLUNTEER ESTIMATES 3.5 INCHES OF SNOW.
  3.00   HUTCHINSON               KS  RENO             0445 PM
  3.00   MCPHERSON                KS  MCPHERSON        0436 PM
  3.00   KINGMAN                  KS  KINGMAN          0433 PM
                 6 INCH DRIFTS.
  2.90   SALINA                   KS  SALINE           1200 PM
                 PUBLIC ESTIMATES 2.9 INCHES OF SNOW.
  2.00   NEWTON                   KS  HARVEY           0450 PM
                 ONE FOOT DRIFTS, WITH NUMEROUS CARS STUCK IN
                 THE DRIFTS.
  2.00   LINCOLN                  KS  LINCOLN          0429 PM
                 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS BETWEEN 1 TO 2 INCHES
                 OF SNOW HAS FALLEN.
  1.00   LYONS                    KS  RICE             0439 PM
  1.00   RUSSELL                  KS  RUSSELL          0439 PM
                 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS BETWEEN 0.5 TO 1 INCH
                 OF SNOW HAS FALLEN.
  1.00   ELLSWORTH                KS  ELLSWORTH        0429 PM
  1.00   ELLINWOOD                KS  BARTON           0421 PM
                 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS AN INCH OF SNOW WITH
                 SNOW DRIFTS BETWEEN 18 INCHES TO 2 FEET.

BDK

Local storm report, Feb 1, 6:19 PM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
619 PM CST TUE FEB 01 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0617 PM     SNOW             1 W WEST WICHITA        37.69N 97.48W
02/01/2011  M4.8 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   NWS EMPLOYEE

            SNOW DEPTH 5 INCHES. 3 FOOT DRIFTS.

&&

BDK

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Cold/Wind Chill, Montgomery

When: February 1, 7:32 PM CST to February 3, 7:32 AM CST
Where: Montgomery forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.193, -95.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 2nd and early on February 3rd. Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 20 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 8 degrees in Coffeyville, Kansas and minus 7 in Independence, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Unfortunately, a 79 year old Coffeyville, Kansas woman died of exposure to the cold, after falling in her backyard while trying to clear snow on the morning of February 2nd. She apparently was unable to get back up after falling, some 15 feet from her back step and died from exposure to the extreme cold temperatures. Actual time of death is unknown, but law enforcement authorities say that she had been lying in the location for an extended period of time.

Cold/Wind Chill, Saline

When: February 1, 7:32 PM CST to February 3, 7:30 AM CST
Where: Saline forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.784, -97.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 2nd and early on February 3rd. Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 30 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 15 degrees in Smolan, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill, Ellsworth

When: February 1, 7:32 PM CST to February 3, 7:32 AM CST
Where: Ellsworth forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.697, -98.205 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 1st and 2nd and early on February 3rd. Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 30 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 11 degrees in Ellsworth, Kansas, and minus 7 degrees at Kanopolis Lake, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill, Harvey

When: February 1, 7:32 PM CST to February 3, 7:32 AM CST
Where: Harvey forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.043, -97.427 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 1st and 2nd and early on February 3rd. Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 30 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 7 degrees in Newton, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill, Chase

When: February 1, 7:32 PM CST to February 3, 7:32 AM CST
Where: Chase forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.302, -96.594 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 1st and 2nd and early on February 3rd. Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 25 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 15 degrees near Cassoday, Kansas and minus 10 degrees near Tallgrass Praire, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill, Labette

When: February 1, 7:32 PM CST to February 3, 7:32 AM CST
Where: Labette forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.191, -95.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 2nd and early on February 3rd. Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 20 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 17 degrees in Mound Valley, Kansas and minus 13 degrees in Parsons, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill, Russell

When: February 1, 7:32 PM CST to February 3, 7:32 AM CST
Where: Russell forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 38.915, -98.762 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 2nd and early on February 3rd. Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 26 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 4 degrees in Russell, Kansas on the morning of February 2nd.

Cold/Wind Chill, Sedgwick

When: February 1, 7:32 PM CST to February 3, 7:32 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.685, -97.461 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 1st and 2nd and early on February 3rd. Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 20 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 5 degrees in Wichita, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd. The extreme cold caused most of the school districts in the surrounding communities to close on February 1st and 2nd. The campus at Wichita State University also cancelled classes on February 2nd.

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
Cold/Wind Chill, Montgomery	2011-02-02	79	Female	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

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 Kansas in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, February 2011

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: 287013, 287025, 287032, 287038, 287042, 287044, 287049, 287050.