Blizzard and Winter Storm in Nebraska, December 26 to 28, 2018

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Nebraska, December 26 to 28, 2018
Start: 2018-12-26T03:00
End: 2018-12-28T06:00
Location: Nebraska

December 26 to 28, 2018 · NWS LBF · 9 events in 9 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 9 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 9

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 LBF wrote it up.

A winter storm began in the afternoon hours on December 26th, continuing into the early morning hours on December 28th across the eastern half of western and north central Nebraska. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph occurred during the peak of the storm. This created low visibility and significant blowing and drifting. Blizzard conditions were observed in some areas. Some roads, including Interstate 80 west of North Platte became closed on December 27th. Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 12 inches across much of the area with the higher amounts occurring across Thomas, Blaine, Loup, and Custer Counties.

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 North Platte, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 25, 11:28 PM CST, 3 hours 32 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 25, 11:28 PM CST, 3 hours 32 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1128 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 320 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018

Looking at the H5 chart this morning the main feature of
note is the closed low located over southern Nevada. A secondary
shortwave was located along the central California coast. WV
imagery as of midday had tracked the Nevada low into far swrn Utah,
while the secondary shortwave was located off the southern
California coast, northwest of San Diego. A low amplitude ridge was
present across the central and southern Rockies with flat zonal flow
extending east to the Atlantic. At the surface: Low pressure was
located over eastern New Mexico with a warm front extending east
along the border of Oklahoma and Texas. Low level moisture was
prevalent over Texas and southern Oklahoma with dew points in 40s
and 50s from southern Oklahoma into Texas. Across western and north
central Nebraska this afternoon, skies were partly to mostly cloudy.
Across the west and central, high cloudiness has streamed into the
area from the west, while in the far northeastern forecast area, low
clouds in association with a back door arctic front have tracked
southwest and were impacting Boyd and portions of Holt county.
Readings as of 2 PM CST ranged from 37 at Ainsworth to 47 at
Thedford.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1110 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018

The roads are wet in the dense fog advisory area. The roads should
cross the freezing mark with black ice forming. A freezing fog
advisory is now in effect.

UPDATE Issued at 708 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018

Dense fog is underway across eastern Nebraska and this fog should
spread west, at least into ncntl Nebraska tonight. A dense fog
adivisory is in place across north central Nebraska covering
areas east of highway 83 until 3 am CST.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday night)
Issued at 320 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018

The impending winter storm is the
main forecasting challenge this forecast cycle. For tonight: Low
level moisture advection will continue to increase across the
central and southern plains. H5 low pressure will deepen and track
into the four corners by 12z Wednesday. Surface low pressure will
begin to develop and deepen from sern Colorado into eastern New
Mexico overnight. East of the surface low and west of a strong area
of high pressure over the central Appalachians, southerly winds, will
increase from Texas north into Nebraska. The southerly winds will
increase low level moisture transport and warm air advection across
the area overnight. Warm air at the H85 surface will preclude the
arrival of warmer surface air Wednesday morning leading to a setup
for light freezing drizzle or light freezing rain late tonight into
early Wednesday morning. ATTM, the best chances appear to be across
southern into northeastern portions of the forecast area, based on
the timing of 09z to 15z Wednesday. Warm air advection will continue
to increase on Wednesday with most areas seeing a changeover to rain
during the day as temperatures reach the middle 30s across the
forecast area. By late afternoon the surface low will lift onto the
high plains of western Kansas. An inverted trough of low pressure
will enter the panhandle and quickly track east early Wednesday
evening drawing in colder air from the north. This will result in a
quick changeover of snow from west to east Wednesday evening.
Overnight as the H5 low lifts northeast from southwestern Kansas
into southern Nebraska, snow (heavy at times) will develop to the
northwest of the low's track. Strong deformation will develop from
southwestern into north central Nebraska Wednesday night into
Thursday morning. Strong isentropic lift is depicted in this band
with a trowal present on the GFS 300K theta surface. Using a 50/50
blend of Superblend and WPC QPF yields an inch to an inch and a half
of QPF for the storm generally east the Panhandle. Roughly a third
of this qpf will be as rain with higher liquid amounts in the far
southeastern forecast area (later changeover to snow). That being
said, a swath of 8 to 12 inches of snow looks probable along a  line
from Grant, to Sutherland to Valentine. Further east from Hayes
county northeast to Holt County, 4-8 inch accumulations are
expected. Decided to hoist a winter storm warning for the entire
forecast area with the exception of Sheridan county (advisory) and
Wheeler and Garfield counties (continuation of the current watch).
The watch was continued in Wheeler and Garfield counties as there is
some doubt as to the timing of changeover to snow Thursday morning.
Snowfall rates will begin to diminish Thursday afternoon, however
strong northerly winds and strong cold advection on the back side of
the system, will allow wind speeds to remain on the breezy side,
well into the overnight hours Thursday night.

.LONG TERM...(Friday through Tuesday)
Issued at 320 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018

Dry conditions are expected into the
weekend and the first part of the new year. A couple of systems will
slide across the southern portion of the country on Saturday with a
second system early next week. Temperatures will moderate slightly
Sunday into Monday, however, an arctic cold front will bring colder
temperatures to the region New Years Day.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Wednesday night)
Issued at 1128 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018

A major winter storm will begin to affect wrn and ncntl Nebraska
tonight and continue through Wednesday evening.

Widespread IFR/LIFR cigs, vsbys and BR/FG/-SN/-ZR/-RA are
expected to develop tonight and continue through Wednesday
evening.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Warning from 3 AM CST /2 AM MST/ Wednesday to 6 AM
CST /5 AM MST/ Friday for NEZ005>010-022>027-035>038-056>059-
069>071-094.

Freezing Fog Advisory until 3 AM CST /2 AM MST/ Wednesday for
NEZ005>010-023>029-038-094.

Winter Weather Advisory from 2 AM Wednesday to 5 AM MST Friday
for NEZ004.

Winter Storm Watch from 3 AM CST Wednesday through late Thursday
night for NEZ028-029.

&&

UPDATE...CDC
SYNOPSIS...Buttler
SHORT TERM...Buttler
LONG TERM...Buttler
AVIATION...CDC

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 25, 11:17 PM CST, 3 hours 43 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1117 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-270530-
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-
1117 PM CST Tue Dec 25 2018 /1017 PM MST Tue Dec 25 2018/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and
north central Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

Areas of dense freezing fog are likely overnight across north
central Nebraska and the Sandhills.

Some light snow, light freezing rain or freezing drizzle could
develop late tonight. This could create some slick spots on
untreated surfaces.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

A strong winter storm will impact the central plains early
Wednesday through Thursday night. Rain, snow, blowing snow, and
freezing rain will all be possible. The greatest potential for
accumulating snowfall will occur Wednesday afternoon through
Thursday as snow accumulations of 4 to 12 inches are likely.
Gusty northerly winds will allow for blowing snow and reductions
in visibility Wednesday night through Thursday night. The
greatest
potential of a wintery mix of light freezing rain and snow will
be Wednesday morning as a few hundredths of an inch of mixed
precipitation is possible.

A winter storm warning and winter weather advisory has been
issued for a large portion of western and north central Nebraska
from 3 AM CST Wednesday through 6 AM CST Friday Morning

Those planning post Christmas travel across western and north
central Nebraska should prepare for hazardous travel conditions
beginning late tonight and then again Wednesday afternoon through
Thursday evening. Persons should monitor the latest forecasts and
statements relating to this approaching winter storm.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

&&

Get your weather, hydrological, and climate information at
http://www.weather.gov/northplatte

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 winter storm, 4 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Rock

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Rock forecast zone
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 42.421, -99.450 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A social media report from Bassett reported 10 inches of snowfall with 2 foot drifts. Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 10 inches across Rock County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th into the early morning hours on December 28th. This created low visibility and significant blowing and drifting.

Winter Storm, Boyd

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Boyd forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.900, -98.766 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A Cooperative observer in Butte reported 7 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 9 inches across Boyd County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th into the early morning hours on December 28th. This created low visibility and significant blowing and drifting.

Winter Storm, Blaine

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Blaine forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 41.913, -99.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A CoCoRaHS observer in Dunning reported 7 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 9 inches across Blaine County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th into the early morning hours on December 28th. This created low visibility and significant blowing and drifting.

Winter Storm, Frontier

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Frontier forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.530, -100.394 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A Cooperative observer in Eustis reported 6 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches across Frontier County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th. This created low visibility and significant blowing and drifting.

Blizzard, Loup

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Loup forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 41.914, -99.454 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A CoCoRaHS observer 7 miles northeast of Milburn reported 9 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts ranged from 7 to 11 inches across Loup County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th into the early morning hours on December 28th. This created low visibility of a quarter mile or less at times and significant blowing and drifting.

Blizzard, Custer

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Custer forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.394, -99.726 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

General public in Broken Bow reported 12 inches of snowfall. A CoCoRaHS observer in Merna also reported 12 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 13 inches across Custer County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th into the early morning hours on December 28th. This created low visibility of a quarter mile or less at times and significant blowing and drifting. Some roads were closed, including highway 40 and highway 92.

Blizzard, Garfield

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Garfield forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 41.914, -98.991 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

CoCoRaHS observers in Burwell and 2 miles south southwest of Burwell reported 7.5 inches and 8.5 inches of snowfall respectively. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 9 inches across Garfield County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th into the early morning hours on December 28th. This created low visibility of a quarter mile or less at times and significant blowing and drifting. Some county roads became closed.

Blizzard, Wheeler

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Wheeler forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.915, -98.528 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A Cooperative observer 1 mile west of Bartlett reported 7 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 9 inches across Wheeler County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th into the early morning hours on December 28th. This created low visibility of a quarter mile or less at times and significant blowing and drifting. Some county roads became closed.

Winter Storm, Holt

When: December 26, 3:00 AM CST to December 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Holt forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.456, -98.784 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A Cooperative observer in O'Neill reported 6 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 8 inches across Holt County. Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph occurred beginning during the early morning hours, daytime and evening hours on December 27th into the early morning hours on December 28th. This created low visibility and significant blowing and drifting.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, December 2018

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: 791997, 792000, 792001, 792003, 792004, 792020, 792022, 792023, 792025.