A strong winter storm moved across the region on February 1st and 2nd and produced heavy snowfall amounts of 8 to 15 inches across portions of western and north central Nebraska. Strong northerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with occasional gusts to 50 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with blizzard or near blizzard conditions.
Every event with a place to put it; 17 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS LBF wrote it up.
A strong winter storm moved across the region on February 1st and 2nd and produced heavy snowfall amounts of 8 to 15 inches across portions of western and north central Nebraska. Strong northerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with occasional gusts to 50 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with blizzard or near blizzard conditions. Interstate 80 and many other roads were closed on February 2nd and did not reopen until February 3rd.
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 North Platte, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 1, 5:25 AM CST, 35 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE 525 AM CST MON FEB 1 2016 .SYNOPSIS... ISSUED AT 342 AM CST MON FEB 1 2016 WATER VAPOR IMAGERY INDICATED A DEVELOPING VORTEX IN THE SOUTHWEST U.S. JUST WEST OF THE FOUR CORNERS AREA. THERE WAS ALSO A SURFACE LOW IN THAT AREA. RADAR AND INFRA-RED SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWED WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION ACROSS NORTHEAST COLORADO AND ALONG THE KANSAS-NEBRASKA STATE LINE. && .SHORT TERM...(TODAY AND TONIGHT) ISSUED AT 342 AM CST MON FEB 1 2016 IN THE 285-300K LAYER...ISENTROPIC UPGLIDE DEVELOPS AS EARLY AS 12Z TODAY IN THE NEBRASKA PANHANDLE AND THE EXTREME SOUTHWEST. THE FORCING THEN SPREADS TO THE SANDHILLS AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA BY EARLY AFTERNOON. ALTHOUGH THE AVAILABLE MOISTURE IS NOT REAL HIGH... THE DURATION OF THE FORCING WILL FAVOR MODERATE TO HEAVY PRECIPITATION THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THIS IS FAVORABLE FOR SNOWFALL TOTALS OF 5 TO 9 INCHES TODAY AND TONIGHT ALONE AND CONTINUING BEYOND EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. EAST TO NORTHEAST WIND WILL INCREASE TO 15 TO 25 MPH THIS AFTERNOON AND 20 TO 30 MPH BY LATE THIS EVENING...THUS PRESENTING THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS LIKELY EAST AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM BURWELL...THROUGH BROKEN BOW AND NORTH PLATTE...TO OGALLALA. .LONG TERM...(TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY) ISSUED AT 342 AM CST MON FEB 1 2016 12Z TUESDAY AND BEYOND. THE GFS/EURO AND ENSEMBLES CONTINUE TO DISPLAY GOOD AGREEMENT IN THE MEDIUM RANGE WITH THE PROGRESSION OF THE INTENSE MID-LATITUDE CYCLONE. THE H7 LOW AND DEFORMATION WILL RAPIDLY ADVANCE NORTHEAST FROM SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA TOWARD LAKE SUPERIOR ON TUESDAY. SUBSIDENCE ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE LOW WILL COMBINE WITH INCREASINGLY FRONTOLYTIC MIDLEVEL FGEN TO PRESENT A SHARP WEST TO EAST CUTOFF IN SNOW. THE CONSENSUS OF THE MEDIUM RANGE MODELS INDICATE SNOW WILL RAPIDLY TAPER OFF...WITH MOST LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF OUR FAR NORTHEASTERN ZONES SNOW FREE BY 00Z WEDNESDAY. ACCUMULATIONS DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS TUESDAY WILL REMAIN LIGHT /LESS THAN AN INCH/ FOR MOST LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF OUR FAR EAST. HOWEVER ADDITIONAL SNOW AMOUNTS ALONG AND EAST OF A ARNOLD TO ONEILL LINE COULD AMOUNT TO AS MUCH AS AN ADDITIONAL 2-5 INCHES. CONFIDENCE IN THESE AMOUNTS ACROSS OUR NORTHEASTERN NEBRASKA ZONES IS LOWER THAN ONE WOULD HOPE AT THIS JUNCTURE AS POTENTIAL CONVECTION SOUTH OF THE REGION COULD RE-FOCUS THE MOISTURE TRANSPORT AND BEST FGEN FORCING EAST OF THE CWA. WILL NEED TO MONITOR WIND SPEEDS TUESDAY...ESPECIALLY ALONG AND EAST OF HIGHWAY 83. 500M WINDS ARE SHOWN TO INCREASE TO NEAR 50KTS...GUSTS TO 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED. BLOWING SNOW WILL BE A CONCERN...HOWEVER WITH THE SNOW INTENSITY TAPERING OFF...REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY WILL IMPROVE THROUGH THE DAY. HEADLINES...THE MODELS CONTINUE TO TREND NORTHWARD WITH THE STORM TRACK AND AXIS OF HEAVY SNOW. THERE WILL BE A STARK RANGE IN SNOW TOTALS FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE CWA...AND POSSIBLY ACROSS A SINGLE COUNTY. THE MODELS ARE SHOWING GOOD AGREEMENT IN TOTAL QPF...WHICH INDICATES SNOW TOTALS RANGING FROM 1-2" ACROSS OUR NORTH...TO AS MUCH AS 10-13" OVER THE SOUTH/SOUTHEAST. MUCH OF THE SANDHILLS IS FORECAST TO BE IN THE 2-5 INCH RANGE. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WAS ISSUED FOR NW NEBRASKA...THE SANDHILLS AND MUCH OF NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA. WHEELER AND GARFIELD COUNTIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE WINTER STORM WARNING AS WINDS AND SNOW ACCUMULATIONS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY WITH THE NORTHWARD TREND. ALL OTHER HEADLINES ARE VALID WITH NO CHANGE NECESSARY. THE SYSTEM LIFTS NORTHEAST OF THE GREAT LAKES ON WEDNESDAY WITH TRANSITORY RIDGING BUILDING ACROSS THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST. THE RIDGE DOES BREAKDOWN BY WEEKS END AS A SW TROUGH DIGS OVER THE CENTRAL ROCKIES AND EVENTUALLY DROPS SOUTH INTO TEXAS. THIS PATTERN FAVORS SEASONAL CONDITIONS...WITH NO REAL THREAT OF ARCTIC AIR OR FOR THAT MATTER WIDESPREAD QPF. && .AVIATION...(FOR THE 12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY MORNING) ISSUED AT 525 AM CST MON FEB 1 2016 SNOW IN SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA WILL CONTINUE SPREADING ACROSS THE AREA TODAY. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO REACH MHN-LBF AROUND 18Z AND TIF-BBW AROUND 00Z. IT WILL THEN SPREAD TO ONL BY 06Z. AS THE SNOW MAKES ITS WAY ACROSS CENTRAL AND WESTERN NEBRASKA...HEAVY SNOW IS LIKELY TO RESTRICT VISIBILITY OCCASIONALLY TO 1SM OR LESS WITH A POSSIBILITY OF 1/4SM OR LOWER. ALSO...THE CEILING WILL DECREASE TO 1000 FEET AGL OR LOWER AS SNOW MOVES IN AND INCREASES IN INTENSITY. FROM LATE MORNING ON...EAST TO NORTHEAST WIND WILL INCREASE UNTIL IT BECOME 060-090 AT 12-18G25-30KT WHICH WILL ALSO CAUSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTION TO VISIBILITY AND SIGNIFICANT BUILDUP OF SNOW IN DRIFTS ON AREA RUNWAYS. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ TUESDAY FOR NEZ056>058-069>071. WINTER STORM WARNING FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM CST TUESDAY FOR NEZ028-029-038-059. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM NOON CST /11 AM MST/ TODAY TO 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ TUESDAY FOR NEZ004-005-008>010-022>027-035>037- 094. && SYNOPSIS...SPRINGER SHORT TERM...SPRINGER LONG TERM...JACOBS AVIATION...SPRINGER
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE 434 AM CST MON FEB 1 2016 NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-021045- SHERIDAN-EASTERN CHERRY-KEYA PAHA-BOYD-BROWN-ROCK-HOLT-GARDEN- GRANT-HOOKER-THOMAS-BLAINE-LOUP-GARFIELD-WHEELER-ARTHUR-MCPHERSON- LOGAN-CUSTER-DEUEL-KEITH-PERKINS-LINCOLN-CHASE-HAYES-FRONTIER- WESTERN CHERRY- 434 AM CST MON FEB 1 2016 /334 AM MST MON FEB 1 2016/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. A STRONG WINTER STORM DEVELOPING IN THE SOUTHWEST STATES WILL MOVE ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS TODAY AND TONIGHT. AS IT DOES...HEAVY SNOW IS LIKELY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA WHERE SIX TO TWELVE INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED. THE HEAVIER SNOWFALL OF NINE TO TWELVE INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 80. FOR THE SANDHILLS AND THE EASTER PANHANDLE SNOWFALL TOTALS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE LIKELY. WIND WILL INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH AND CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING TONIGHT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF TWO TO FIVE INCHES ARE LIKELY IN CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA TUESDAY. FOR THE SANDHILLS AND SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA...THE ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE AN INCH OR LESS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TUESDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT. && GET YOUR WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL...AND CLIMATE INFORMATION AT HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/NORTHPLATTE (ALL LOWERCASE) SPRINGER
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
14 winter storm, 3 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
A cooperative observer near Hayes Center reported 12 inches of snowfall. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, near blizzard conditions were reported with 3 to 4 foot drifts.
General public reported 10 inches of snowfall. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility with 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
Cooperative observer and general public snowfall reports ranged from 9 to 13 inches. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility with 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
The official NWS observation reported 11.4 inches of snowfall. Public reports of 10 to 12 inches were common across Lincoln County. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility with 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred. Interstate 80 and Highway 30 were closed on February 2nd and did not reopen until February 3rd.
A cooperative observer and public reported 10 to 12 inches of snowfall. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility and 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
A cooperative observer and public reported 10 to 12 inches of snowfall. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility and 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
A cooperative observer and public reported 11 to 13 inches of snowfall. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility and 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
A cooperative observer and public reported 12 to 13 inches of snowfall. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility and 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
Cooperative observers in Lisco and 10 miles northeast of Oshkosh reported 9 inches of snowfall. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility with 3 to 4 foot drifts occured.
Cooperative observers in Arthur reported 11 inches of snowfall. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the overnight and morning hours on February 2nd, low visibility with 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
A cooperative observer near Eustis reported 11 inches of snowfall with public reports as high as 15 inches reported. Northeast winds of 30 to 45 mph during the early morning hours on February 2nd became north and gusted to 50 mph at times. This caused blizzard conditions with visibilities frequently a quarter mile or less and snow drifts from 3 to 5 feet.
A cooperative observer located 8 miles west southwest of Callaway reported 15 inches of snowfall with public reports from 10 to 15 inches. Northerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with occasional gusts up to 50 mph during the morning into the afternoon hours on February 2nd, caused blizzard conditions. Visibilities were frequently a quarter mile or less and snow drifts ranged from 3 to 5 feet.
General public reported snowfall amounts around 12 inches across Wheeler County. Northerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with occasional gusts up to 50 mph during the morning into the afternoon hours on February 2nd, caused blizzard conditions. Visibilities were frequently a quarter mile or less and snow drifts ranged from 3 to 5 feet.
A cooperative observer located 8 miles west of Ericson reported 12 inches of snowfall. Public reported 11 inches in Burwell. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph with gusts to near 50 mph during the morning and afternoon hours on February 2nd, low visibility of a quarter mile at times with 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
A cooperative observer located in O'Neill reported 9 inches of snowfall. Public reported 10 to 12 inches in the southern parts of Holt County. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the morning and afternoon hours on February 2nd, low visibility with 3 to 4 foot drifts occurred.
General public reported 6 to 9 inches of snowfall across Blaine County. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the morning and afternoon hours on February 2nd, low visibility with 2 to 3 foot drifts occurred.
General public reported 6 to 9 inches of snowfall across Loup County. As northerly winds increased to 30 to 40 mph during the morning and afternoon hours on February 2nd, low visibility with 2 to 3 foot drifts occurred.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, February 2016
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: 610390, 610393, 610394, 610395, 610386, 610387, 610388, 610389, 610391, 610392, 610400, 610401, 610402, 610396, 610397, 610398, 610399.