Blizzard and Winter Storm in Kansas, January 31, 2011

Areas of freezing drizzle from around midnight through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced 5 to 6 inches snow accumulation in the Cottonwood Falls area, with drifts up to 3.5 feet. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times countywide. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -20 to -25 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from around midnight through late morning on the 31st produced slick roads and numerous vehicle accidents and slide-offs countywide. One such accident proved fatal (location, gender and age unknown), and at least one other produced injuries (number of injuries unknown). Other numerous injuries were reported due to other mishaps dealing with the ice. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of light to moderate snow produced 2 to 4 inches accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting of snow. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to -25 degrees. Property damage amounts are rough estimates. The Salina Journal contributed to this report.

Areas of freezing drizzle from around midnight through late morning on the 31st produced slick roads and numerous vehicle accidents and slide-offs countywide. One injury accident was reported along I-135, producing one known injury. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of light to moderate snow produced 1 to 3 inches accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting of snow. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to -25 degrees. Property damage amounts are rough estimates. The Hutchinson News contributed to this report.

Areas of freezing drizzle from around midnight through late morning on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of light to moderate snow produced 1 to 3 inches accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting of snow. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to -25 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle and sleet affected the county from around midnight through late morning on the 31st, creating slick roads and aiding in numerous vehicle accidents and slide-offs countywide. Thereafter, from the late evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow affected the county. Law enforcement reported 6 inches snow accumulation in Florence. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifting snow. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -20 to -25 degrees. Property damage amounts are rough estimates. The Peabody Gazette-Bulletin contributed to this report.

Areas of freezing drizzle from around midnight through late morning on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the afternoon on the 31st through the late afternoon on February 1st, areas of light to moderate snow produced 1 to 3 inches accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting of snow. Additionally, temperatures near zero in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to -30 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from around midnight through late morning on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the afternoon on the 31st through the late afternoon on February 1st, areas of light to moderate snow produced 1 to 3 inches accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting of snow. Additionally, temperatures near zero in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to -30 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from around midnight through late morning on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the afternoon on the 31st through the late afternoon on February 1st, areas of light to moderate snow produced 2 to 4 inches accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting of snow. Additionally, temperatures near zero in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to -30 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the predawn hours through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced around 8 inches snow accumulation in the Madison area, with around 6 inches in Eureka. Drifts up to 2 feet were common. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -20 to -25 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the early morning through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced about 8 inches snow accumulation in the Howard area, with drifts up to 4 feet. Sustained north to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blizzard conditions at times countywide. Additionally, temperatures in the single digits and teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -15 to -20 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the predawn hours through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced about 9 inches snow accumulation in the Sedan area, with around 11 inches in the Chautauqua area. Sustained north to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifting snow. Additionally, temperatures in the single digits and teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -15 to -20 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the predawn hours into the afternoon hours on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced anywhere from 8 to 12 inches snow accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blizzard conditions at times, along with 4 foot drifts. Additionally, temperatures in the teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -15 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the predawn hours into the afternoon hours on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced anywhere from 8 to 10 inches snow accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blizzard conditions at times, along with drifts up to 4 feet. Additionally, temperatures in the teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -15 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the predawn hours into the afternoon hours on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced around 12 inches snow accumulation in the Iola area. Sustained north to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifting. Additionally, temperatures in the teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -15 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the predawn hours into the afternoon hours on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced anywhere from 10 to 14 inches snow accumulation across the county, highest over eastern portions of the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifting. Additionally, temperatures in the teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -15 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from early morning through early afternoon on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced up to 6 inches in the Haven area. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifting snow. In Pretty Prairie, an abandoned building's roof collapsed due to the snow's weight coupled with the strong winds. Property damage estimates regarding this collapsed roof are included in the February write-up of this event. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to -25 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the early morning through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced 5 to 6 inches snow accumulation in the Newton area. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifting snow. Numerous vehicle accidents and slide-offs were reported, some of which included injuries. These injuries along with any corresponding property damage estimates are included in the February write-up of this event. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -25 degrees. The Newton Kansas contributed to this report.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the early morning through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced 6.5 inches snow accumulation 4 miles southeast of downtown Wichita. The Wichita area received generally 4 to 6 inches snow accumulation. Dozens of arrivals and departures were canceled at Mid-Continent Airport. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifting snow. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -25 degrees. One fatality occurred in Wichita on February 2nd when a train struck a car stuck in snow on railroad tracks near 20th and Topeka. This fatality along with corresponding property damage estimates were included in the February write-up for this event. The Wichita Eagle contributed to this report.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the early morning through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced up to 6 inches snow accumulation in the Wellington area, with drifts up to 2 feet. One vehicle accident was reported in the Wellington area. Corresponding property damage estimates were included in the February write-up for this event. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times countywide. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -20 to -25 degrees. The Wellington Daily News contributed to this report.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the early morning through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced up to 7 inches snow accumulation in the El Dorado area, with around 6 inches in Rose Hill and Augusta. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts of 40 to 45 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifting snow. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -20 to -25 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the early morning through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of moderate to heavy snow produced up to 9.5 inches snow accumulation in Arkansas City, with around 7.5 inches in Winfield. Drifts up to 2 feet were common. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times countywide. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -20 to -25 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the early morning through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of snow produced up to 5 inches snow accumulation across the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting snow. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -20 to -25 degrees.

Areas of freezing drizzle from the early morning through the noon hour on the 31st produced slick roads countywide. Thereafter, from the evening on the 31st through the early evening on February 1st, areas of snow produced up to 3 to 4 inches snow accumulation across mainly southern and eastern portions of the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting snow. Additionally, single digit temperatures in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -20 to -25 degrees.

COOP Observers reported anywhere from 8 to 12 inches snow accumulation across the county, with 12 to 16 inches over mainly southeast portions of the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blizzard conditions at times, along with drifts up to 4 feet. Additionally, temperatures in the teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -15 degrees. The Independence Daily Reporter contributed to this report.

COOP Observers reported anywhere from 11 to 18 inches snow accumulation across the county, highest over eastern and southern portions of the county. Sustained north to northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blizzard conditions at times, along with 4 to 5 foot drifts. Additionally, temperatures in the teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to around -15 degrees.

Areas of light to moderate snow affected the county from the afternoon hours on the 31st through the late afternoon hours on February 1st. Accumulations ranged from 1 to 3 inches countywide. Sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, produced blowing and drifting of snow. Vehicle accidents and slide-offs across the county were minimal. Property damage estimates regarding these minor vehicle incidents were included in the February write-up for this event. Additionally, temperatures near zero in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings down to -30 degrees. The Great Bend Tribune contributed to this report.