A strong area of low pressure moved through the Midwest creating heavy snow and ice, along with strong northwesterly winds. the storm produced 2 to 8 inches across parts of northeast Nebraska, mainly in Cedar, Knox and Antelope Counties.
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.
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 OAX wrote it up.
A strong area of low pressure moved through the Midwest creating heavy snow and ice, along with strong northwesterly winds. the storm produced 2 to 8 inches across parts of northeast Nebraska, mainly in Cedar, Knox and Antelope Counties. Lesser snowfall amounts were reported southeast of those counties. Strong winds also accompanied the snow fall with gusts between 35 to 50 mph reported across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa.
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 Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 27, 3:48 AM CST, 2 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
348 AM CST Thu Dec 27 2018
.SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday)
Issued at 348 AM CST Thu Dec 27 2018
An intense mid to upper-level low over the TX/OK panhandles early
this morning will accelerate north-northeast into eastern NE today
before weakening into an open wave over the the upper Great Lakes
tonight. In the low levels, 3 AM surface observations indicated
the primary cyclone over central KS with an associated,
intensifying baroclinic zone stretching through eastern NE into
far northwest IA. Latest short-term model guidance indicates that
the surface low will develop along the boundary through southeast
NE and southwest IA this morning and into northwest IA by about
mid day.
Meanwhile, IR satellite and mosaic radar data depict the gradual
organization of what will likely be the primary deformation zone
attendant to the migratory storm system from w-central IA through
south- central NE into western KS. To the south of that feature,
the mid- level dry slot has been steadily lifting north through
central and eastern KS into southeast NE and southwest IA.
Latest model guidance has trended slightly east with the track of
the synoptic cyclone and it's associated deformation zone. As
such, we have included Cedar and Boone counties in the winter
storm warning and added Wayne, Stanton, and Platte counties to the
winter weather advisory. We are calling for storm-total snow
amounts of 5-9" in the warning area, and generally 2-4" in the
advisory area. The snow combined with strong northwest winds of
30-40 mph will result in near blizzard conditions today into
tonight.
Across the remainder of eastern NE and southwest IA, expected
showery precipitation and perhaps a few thunderstorms today as
mid-level lapse rates steepen within the poleward-progressing
system dry slot. The eastward shift in the surface low track will
result in the low-level cold air overspreading much of our area
quicker today than earlier expected with the potential for some
light snow accumulation at most locations.
Cold and blustery conditions will prevail on Friday with light
snow or flurries tapering off by afternoon.
.LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Wednesday)
Issued at 348 AM CST Thu Dec 27 2018
It still appears that we will see moderating temperatures on
Sunday ahead of another strong cold front moving into the northern
High Plains. The cold front will move through the area on Sunday
night into Monday, ushering an arctic air mass into the region
along with a chance for some light snow. The cold weather is
expected to be relatively short lived with warmer conditions
forecast by the middle to late part of next week.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night)
Issued at 1124 PM CST Wed Dec 26 2018
IFR to occasional LIFR conditions are possible across the TAF
sites through this cycle as a dynamic storm system moves through
the area. Rain is forecast for KOMA and KLNK through the first 12
hours with some potential for a mix to or change over to light snow
as the system begins to pull away from the area late Thursday
afternoon. KOFK should begin to see a mix of rain and snow this
morning before changing over to all snow with light accumulations
possible into the afternoon and early evening hours. Surface winds
will become northwesterly and gust to near 30kts throughout the
day Thursday.
&&
.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM CST Friday for NEZ018-031-032-
042.
Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM CST Friday for NEZ011-012-016-
017-030.
IA...None.
&&
SHORT TERM...Mead
LONG TERM...Mead
AVIATION...KernHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE 533 AM CST Thu Dec 27 2018 IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ015-033-034-043>045-050>053- 065>068-078-088>093-280145- Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont- Page-Thurston-Cuming-Burt-Colfax-Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders- Douglas-Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline-Jefferson-Gage- Johnson-Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson- 533 AM CST Thu Dec 27 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest Iowa...west central Iowa...east central Nebraska...northeast Nebraska and southeast Nebraska. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm or two can be expected this morning into afternoon, leading to rising levels on area streams and rivers. Rain will change to snow from northwest to southeast today, with some potential for a brief period of light freezing rain or sleet. Snow accumulations should be generally less than an inch. Little to no ice accumulation is expected. A significantly colder air mass will overspread the region today, potentially leading to a flash freeze of wet, untreated roads. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Additional light snow is possible on Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report rain and snow amounts to the National Weather Service. NEZ011-012-016>018-030>032-042-280145- Knox-Cedar-Antelope-Pierce-Wayne-Boone-Madison-Stanton-Platte- 533 AM CST Thu Dec 27 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Nebraska. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Periods of moderate to heavy snow are expected today into this evening with 5 to 9 inches expected west of a Hartington to Albion line. From Wayne to Norfolk to Columbus, snowfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches are currently forecast. The snow will combine with northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph to create periods of near blizzard conditions, especially in locations where the heaviest snow is forecast. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Additional light snow and blowing snow is expected through early Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report rain and snow amounts to the National Weather Service.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
4 winter storm, 4 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Spotters, cooperative weather observers, and media reported 4 to 12 inches of snow across the county.
Law Enforcement reported 4 to 5 inches of snow across the county, but considerable blowing snow with whiteout conditions, especially in open areas.
Spotters and cooperative weather observers reported 2 to 8 inches of snow across the county, with considerable blowing snow and near zero visibility.
Law enforcement reported 3 to 6 inches of snow across the county, with whiteout conditions from 3 to 6 pm on December 27th.
Spotters reports 3 to 5 inches of snow, with considerable blowing snow with reduced visibility. Winds gusted as high as 46 mph during the event.
Spotters reported a couple of inches of snow, with considerable blowing snow with reduced visibility. Winds gusted as high as 46 mph during the event. There was also one to two tenths of ice accumulation during the event, which made travel especially hazardous with multiple car accidents.
Spotters reported a couple of inches of snow, with considerable blowing snow with reduced visibility. Winds gusted as high as 40 mph during the event. There was also one a couple tenths of ice accumulation during the event, which made travel especially hazardous with multiple car accidents. Power outages occurred.
Spotters reports some minor snow accumulations of an inch or two, but more notable was ice accumulation of one or two tenths of an inch. The combination of winds gusting to 48 mph during the event, along with the ice created a few power outages and galloping transmission lines.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, December 2018
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: 798949, 798951, 798952, 798959, 798961, 798962, 798963, 798968.