Blizzard and Winter Storm in Missouri, February 1, 2011

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Missouri, February 1, 2011
Start: 2011-02-01T00:00
End: 2011-02-01T19:00
Location: Missouri

February 1, 2011 · NWS SGF · 33 events in 33 counties and zones

A major winter storm brought heavy wintry precipitation to the Missouri Ozarks and southeast Kansas on February 1, 2011. This impressive winter storm brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions from Oklahoma through eastern Kansas and the northwest half of Missouri and into the western Great Lakes region.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 33 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 4
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $140,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 33

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 SGF wrote it up.

Snowfall amounts ranged from around 20 to 24 inches in parts of west central into central Missouri to trace amounts over south central Missouri. In addition to the heavy snowfall, winds of 15 to 30 mph with some gusts near 40 mph occurred during the day and nighttime hours of February 1st creating significant blowing and drifting of snow along with bitterly cold wind chills. This created blizzard conditions with near zero visibility at times and snow drifts up to several feet.

Significant accumulations of sleet and freezing rain occurred across portions of southern Missouri. Sleet accumulations of one half to 2 inches fell along and just south of the Interstate 44 corridor. Freezing rain accumulations ranged from one tenth to three quarters of an inch along and south of Interstate 44 with accumulations up to three quarters of an inch in south central Missouri into the eastern Missouri Ozarks.

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 Springfield, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 31, 11:42 PM CST, 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 31, 11:42 PM CST, 18 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
1142 PM CST MON JAN 31 2011

...AVIATION UPDATE...

.DISCUSSION...

MAIN FOCUS IN THIS FORECAST PACKAGE WILL CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THE
MAJOR WINTER STORM THAT WILL AFFECT THE CENTRAL US...INCLUDE THE
MISSOURI OZARKS AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS LATE TONIGHT INTO TUESDAY NIGHT.

SHORT TERM (TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY)...

CURRENTLY...UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IS PUSHING ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST U.S.
THIS AFTERNOON. AHEAD OF THIS TROUGH LOW LEVEL MOISTURE IS
STREAMING INTO THE AREA AS MOISTURE FROM THE GULF IS PULLED INTO
THE AREA. THIS INCREASE IN MOISTURE IS CAUSING AREAS OF FOG AND
DRIZZLE ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON. FORTUNATELY WARM TEMPERATURES
HAVE ALSO SPREAD INTO THE AREA WITH THIS MOISTURE AS TEMPERATURES
ARE GENERALLY IN THE UPPER 30S TO THE LOWER 40S SOUTH OF INSTATE
44...SO THIS DRIZZLE IS NOT FREEZING. THERE IS AN ARCTIC AIRMASS
THAT IS DIVING SOUTH AND WILL ARRIVE LATE THIS EVENING. THIS HAS
RESULTED IN THE FREEZING LINE PUSHING INTO THE FAR NORTHERN
PORTION OF THE COUNTY WARNING AREA.

THE COLD AIRMASS WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH TO THE SOUTH TONIGHT INTO
TOMORROW...WHICH MAY RESULT IN AREAS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE THIS
EVENING INTO TONIGHT. ANY ICE ACCUMULATION WITH THIS ACTIVITY
WILL BE LIGHT...HOWEVER A LIGHT GLAZE WILL BE POSSIBLE WHICH COULD
CAUSE SOME SLICK SPOTS ON ROADWAYS...ESPECIALLY BRIDGES AND
OVERPASSES.

THE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IS EXPECTED TO PUSH ACROSS TEXAS AND THEN
LIFT TO THE NORTH AND EAST TOWARDS THE AREA AND CLOSE OFF LATE
TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW. FOR MOST OF THE NIGHT JUST DRIZZLE OR
FREEZING DRIZZLE IS EXPECTED...HOWEVER LATE TONIGHT A BAND OF
PRECIPITATION SHOULD BEGIN TO LEFT NORTH INTO THE AREA. THE ARCTIC
AIRMASS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD SOUTH AND HEIGHT FALLS FROM THE
UPPER LEVEL LOW APPROACHING THE AREA SHOULD COOL THE COLUMN FAIRLY
QUICKLY ACROSS THE WESTERN HALF OF THE OUTLOOK AREA. THERE COULD
BE A WINTRY MIX OF SLEET...SNOW AND OR FREEZING RAIN AT THE ONSET
OF THE PRECIPITATION HERE...HOWEVER EXPECT THE RATE OF THE
PRECIPITATION FALL AND THE COOLING OF THE COLUMN WILL RESULT IN
PRECIPITATION CHANGE OVER TO SNOW QUICKLY. THERE WILL ALSO BE SOME
INSTABILITY...SO SOME EMBEDDED THUNDER WILL BE POSSIBLE. ANY
SCATTERED CONVECTION THAT CAN DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW
MORNING WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE PERIODS OF SLEET. THESE
SHOULD GENERALLY BE SCATTERED IN NATURE.

AS THE UPPER LEVEL LOW CONTINUE TO LIFT THROUGH THE AREA A
SURFACE LOW WILL TRACK TO THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE AREA. VERY
STRONG LIFT WILL BE IN PLACE TO PRODUCE VERY HEAVY
PRECIPITATION...AND WHAT WITH THE ADDED CONVECTION POTENTIAL SOME
VERY IMPRESSIVE SNOWFALL RATES OF TWO INCHES PER HOUR WILL BE
NOTED. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR ALONG AND NORTH OF
A CASSVILLE TO ROLLA LINE TUESDAY MORNING INTO TUESDAY EVENING.
SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 12 TO 16 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THESE
AREAS WITH LOCALIZED AMOUNTS AROUND 20 INCHES POSSIBLE. THE
SURFACE LOW PRESSURE TO THE SOUTH AND THE ARCTIC HIGH PRESSURE TO
THE NORTH WILL BE QUITE STRONG. AS A RESULT A STRONG PRESSURE
GRADIENT WILL SETUP OVER THE REGION TOMORROW...WITH THESE WINDS
ALONG WITH THE HEAVY SNOW AND HIGH SNOWFALL RATES ARE EXPECTED TO
CREATE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ACROSS THE AREA INTO THE EVENING
HOURS. AS A RESULT HAVE ISSUED A BLIZZARD WARNING FOR AREAS ALONG
AND NORTH OF A CASSVILLE TO ROLLA LINE TUESDAY MORNING INTO
TUESDAY EVENING.

THE PRECIPITATION TYPE SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 44 AND EAST OF HIGHWAY
65 ARE MORE IN QUESTION. EXPECT THE SURFACE FREEZING LINE TO OVER
TAKE THE ENTIRE AREA BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON. THERE WILL BE SOME
WARM AIR ADVECTION IN THE LOW LEVELS THAT MAY KEEP A WARM NOSE
OVER SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI...RESULTING IN MORE FREEZING RAIN AND
SLEET FOR THESE AREAS AND LESS SNOW. THERE COULD BE ONE HALF TO
THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH OF ICE WITH LOCALLY HEAVIER AMOUNTS
ACROSS AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF A BRANSON TO SALEM MISSOURI LINE.
COLD ENOUGH AIR SHOULD SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA BY TUESDAY
EVENING TO CHANGE THE PRECIPITATION OVER SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI TO
ALL SNOW. WILL HAVE TO WATCH HOW FAST THE ARCTIC AIRMASS CAN OVER
TAKE THESE AREAS. AS IF IT IS A LITTLE FASTER MORE SNOW AND LESS
ICE WILL BE POSSIBLE.

BEHIND THIS SYSTEM A VERY COLD AIRMASS WILL SPREAD OVER THE AREA.
HIGHS IN THE TEENS ARE EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. LOWS
ARE EXPECTED TO DROP BELOW ZERO THURSDAY MORNING...WITH
TEMPERATURES OF AROUND 10 BELOW ARE POSSIBLE. VERY DANGEROUS WIND
CHILLS ARE ALSO EXPECTED BOTH TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AS WIND
CHILL VALUES OF 10 TO 20 BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR.

WISE

LONG TERM (THU NIGHT TO MON)...

SOME MODERATION IN TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED DURING THIS PERIOD AFTER
AS AN UPPER LOW PINWHEELS INTO THE RIO GRANDE VALLY TX/MEXICO BORDER
BY LATE THU THEN INTO THE ARKLATEX BY FRI EVENING. SOME SHORTWAVE
RIDGING WILL OCCUR AHEAD OF THIS UPPER LOW. MODELS/PROGS DIFFER IN
THE DETAILS...BUT IN GENERAL EASTERN PACIFIC RIDGING WILL CONTINUING
WITH TROUGHING OVER THE CENTRAL CONUS. MAIN MODEL CONCERNS ARE WITH
THE DIGGING OF A A SHORTWAVE FARTHER WEST INTO THE EASTERN ROCKIES
AND HIGH PLAINS SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY. HAVE POPS FOR SNOW OR
RAIN/SNOW FOR THE CWFA DURING THIS TIME FRAME. DSA

&&

.AVIATION...

PILOTS FLYING IN AND OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST MISSOURI AIRPORTS CAN
EXPECT IFR CONDITIONS OVER THE NEXT 18 HOURS.

A DANGEROUS AND RARE WINTER STORM WILL BE IMPACTING SOUTHWEST
MISSOURI...BEGINNING EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.  BLIZZARD LIKE
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED.  WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH COMBINING WITH
HEAVY SNOW WILL CAUSE REDUCED VISIBILITIES THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY
ON TUESDAY.  MEANWHILE...CEILINGS WILL REMAIN WELL WITHIN THE IFR
CATEGORY THROUGH THE ENTIRE FORECAST PERIOD.

FOR THE BRANSON AIRPORT...PERHAPS MORE SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN WILL
OCCUR.

CRAMER

&&

.CLIMATE...

WITH AN ANOMALOUSLY COLD AIR MASS OF ARCTIC ORIGIN EXPECTED TO
SPILL INTO THE AREA LATER THIS WEEK...A FEW DAILY CLIMATE RECORDS
WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE BROKEN.

RECORDS FOR LOW TEMPERATURE

               FEB 2ND   FEB 3RD   FEB 4TH

SPRINGFIELD      -11       -6        -8
JOPLIN            -4       -5        -4
WEST PLAINS      -21       -8        -5
ROLLA/VICHY      -10      -12        -9

RECORDS FOR LOW HIGH TEMPERATURE

               FEB 2ND   FEB 3RD   FEB 4TH

SPRINGFIELD        3        7         8
JOPLIN            14        8        12
WEST PLAINS       22       17        10
ROLLA/VICHY       12        5        17

KARDELL

&&

.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM CST
     WEDNESDAY FOR MOZ082-083-096>098-104>106.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM CST TUESDAY
     FOR MOZ055>058-066>071-077>081-088>095-101>103.

     BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 6 AM TUESDAY TO 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR
     MOZ055>058-066>071-077>081-088>095-101>103.

KS...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM CST TUESDAY
     FOR KSZ073-097-101.

     BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 6 AM TUESDAY TO 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR
     KSZ073-097-101.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 31, 8:00 PM CST, 4 hours before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
800 PM CST MON JAN 31 2011

KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-011930-
BOURBON-CRAWFORD-CHEROKEE-BENTON-MORGAN-MILLER-MARIES-VERNON-
ST. CLAIR-HICKORY-CAMDEN-PULASKI-PHELPS-BARTON-CEDAR-POLK-DALLAS-
LACLEDE-TEXAS-DENT-JASPER-DADE-GREENE-WEBSTER-WRIGHT-NEWTON-
LAWRENCE-CHRISTIAN-DOUGLAS-HOWELL-SHANNON-MCDONALD-BARRY-STONE-
TANEY-OZARK-OREGON-
800 PM CST MON JAN 31 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MISSOURI
OZARKS AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

 THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER RISK LEVEL IS SIGNIFICANT.

WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED...

  SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR FREEZING DRIZZLE AND FREEZING RAIN.
  ELEVATED RISK FOR SLEET AND SNOW.

DISCUSSION...

  FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CONTINUE OVER AREAS NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE
  44 CORRIDOR TONIGHT.

  HEAVIER FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND SNOW WILL SPREAD INTO SOUTHERN
  MISSOURI LATE TONIGHT...AND CONTINUE INTO TUESDAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

  A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL IMPACT THE REGION TUESDAY THROUGH
  TUESDAY NIGHT. HEAVY SNOW GREATER THAN 14 INCHES CAN NOT BE RULED
  OUT OVER AREAS ALONG AND NEAR THE INTERSTATE 44 CORRIDOR.  AREAS
  NORTH OF INTERSTATE 44 WILL ALSO EXPERIENCE HEAVY SNOW AMOUNTS
  RANGING FROM 8 TO 14 INCHES.  THIS HEAVY SNOW COMBINED WITH 40
  MPH WIND GUSTS WILL CREATE BLIZZARD LIKE CONDITIONS...MAKING TRAVEL
  NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE DURING THE DAY TUESDAY.

  SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN WILL BE MORE PREDOMINATE OVER SOUTH
  CENTRAL MISSOURI.  ICE ACCUMULATIONS COULD APPROACH ONE INCH
  OVER SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI.

  EMBEDDED THUNDER WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE ON TUESDAY...WHICH MAY
  RESULT IN VERY HEAVY BURSTS OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION.

  AND FINALLY...BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES ARE THEN EXPECTED FROM
  TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES
  WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY MORNING WILL FALL WELL BELOW ZERO.  WIND
  CHILL VALUES COULD DROP TO -20 DEGREES AT TIMES WEDNESDAY AND
  WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT.

&&

THIS PRODUCT IS NOW AVAILABLE IN GRAPHICAL FORMAT...ALONG WITH
OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION...AT
HTTP://WWW.CRH.NOAA.GOV/SGF(ALL LOWERCASE)

CRAMER

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

26 blizzard, 7 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Barry

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Barry forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.710, -93.829 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 10 to 18 inches were observed. The snow was preceded by sleet accumulations up to an inch and freezing rain accumulations up to one quarter of an inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Jasper

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.204, -94.341 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 15 to 20 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 1 inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Newton

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Newton forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 1 indirect
Injuries: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.906, -94.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 14 to 20 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 1 inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable. The heavy snow caused the roof of a school bus barn to collapse and damaging three buses.

Blizzard, McDonald

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: McDonald forecast zone
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.629, -94.348 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 14 to 20 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 1 inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable. The heavy snow caused the roofs of four structures to collapse including two chicken houses, a chicken processing plant and a local business.

Blizzard, Lawrence

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lawrence forecast zone
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.106, -93.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 10 to 18 inches were observed. The snow was preceded by sleet accumulations up to an inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable. The heavy snow caused the roof collapse of a school classroom.

Blizzard, Cedar

When: February 1, 1:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cedar forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.724, -93.857 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 14 to 20 inches were observed. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Dade

When: February 1, 1:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Dade forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.432, -93.850 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Polk

When: February 1, 1:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.617, -93.400 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 12 to 20 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 1 inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Greene

When: February 1, 1:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.258, -93.342 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 10 to 18 inches were observed. The snow was preceded by sleet accumulations up to an inch and freezing rain accumulations up to one tenth of an inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable. The heavy snow caused the roof collapse of a shed housing trucks and a tractor.

Blizzard, Dallas

When: February 1, 2:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Dallas forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.680, -93.024 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 7 to 14 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 1 inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Christian

When: February 1, 2:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Christian forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.970, -93.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 2 inches. Freezing accumulated up to one tenth of an inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Laclede

When: February 1, 3:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Laclede forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.658, -92.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches were observed. Sleet accumulated up to 1 inch and freezing rain accumulated to one tenth of an inch prior to the snowfall. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable. The heavy snow caused the roof collapse of a vacant building.

Blizzard, Barton

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Barton forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.502, -94.347 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 15 to 20 inches were observed. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Miller

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Miller forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.215, -92.428 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches were observed. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to few feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Wright

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.270, -92.469 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 2 inches. Freezing accumulated up to one tenth of an inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in significant drifting and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Pulaski

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Pulaski forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.825, -92.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 3 inches. Freezing rain accumulated up to one tenth of an inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in significant drifts and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Maries

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Maries forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.162, -91.925 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Webster

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.281, -92.876 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Camden

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Camden forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.027, -92.766 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Taney

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Taney forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.655, -93.041 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain across southwest and south central Missouri. Snow accumulations ranged from 2 to 6 inches with significant sleet accumulations of up to 2 inches. Freezing rain accumulated up to one quarter of an inch. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Phelps

When: February 1, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Phelps forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.877, -91.792 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches were observed. Significant accumulations of sleet preceded the snow with accumulations up to 3 inches. Freezing rain accumulated up to one tenth of an inch. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in significant drifts and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Blizzard, Benton

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Benton forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.295, -93.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Hickory

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hickory forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.941, -93.321 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Vernon

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Vernon forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.851, -94.342 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, St. Clair

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: St. Clair forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.037, -93.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Stone

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Stone forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.747, -93.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Ozark

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Ozark forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.649, -92.445 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain across southwest and south central Missouri. Snow accumulations ranged from 1 to 5 inches with significant sleet accumulations of up to 2 inches. Freezing rain accumulated up to one quarter of an inch with scattered power outages. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Winter Storm, Douglas

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.933, -92.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Howell

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Howell forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.774, -91.886 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced snow, sleet and freezing rain across southwest and south central Missouri. Snow accumulations were around 1 inch with significant sleet accumulations of up to 2 inches. Freezing rain accumulated up to one half of an inch with scattered power outages. Travel was extremely treacherous.

Winter Storm, Texas

When: February 1, 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Texas forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.317, -91.965 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced snow, sleet and freezing rain across southwest and south central Missouri. Snow accumulations ranged from 2 to 6 inches with significant sleet accumulations of up to 2 inches. Freezing rain accumulated up to one quarter of an inch with scattered power outages. Travel was extremely treacherous.

Blizzard, Morgan

When: February 1, 6:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Morgan forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.424, -92.886 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions at times across southwest Missouri. Heavy snow accumulations of 15 to 20 inches were observed. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph resulted in drifts up to several feet and visibilities less than one quarter mile. Travel was extremely treacherous with some roads impassable.

Winter Storm, Dent

When: February 1, 6:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Dent forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.607, -91.508 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major winter storm produced snow, sleet and freezing rain across southwest and south central Missouri. Snow accumulations ranged from 1 to 4 inches with significant sleet accumulations of up to 2 inches. Freezing rain accumulated up to one quarter of an inch with scattered power outages. Travel was extremely treacherous.

Winter Storm, Shannon

When: February 1, 6:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Shannon forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.157, -91.400 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

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
Blizzard, Jasper	2011-02-02	39	Male	Unknown	Indirect
Blizzard, Newton	2011-02-03	80	Male	Unknown	Indirect
Blizzard, Newton	2011-02-02	89	Male	Permanent Home	Direct
Blizzard, Phelps	2011-02-02	55	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Indirect

What these are

Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Missouri in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Missouri, 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: 281216, 281228, 281229, 281230, 281465, 281221, 281222, 281233, 281448, 281234, 281441, 281450, 281218, 281220, 281232, 281443, 281444, 281447, 281449, 281455, 281466, 281219, 281224, 281225, 281226, 281442, 281456, 281457, 281458, 281463, 281439, 281461, 281462.