Only around 24 hours after the conclusion of one modest snow event in South Central Nebraska, another one got underway on Saturday afternoon the 16th, peaking in coverage/intensity during the evening before tapering to flurries and ending Sunday morning the 17th. Like the recently-preceding event on the 15th, this one was also relatively low-impact, thanks mainly to wind speeds again only…
Every event with a place to put it; 15 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 GID wrote it up.
Only around 24 hours after the conclusion of one modest snow event in South Central Nebraska, another one got underway on Saturday afternoon the 16th, peaking in coverage/intensity during the evening before tapering to flurries and ending Sunday morning the 17th. Like the recently-preceding event on the 15th, this one was also relatively low-impact, thanks mainly to wind speeds again only averaging around 10 MPH. However, unlike on the 15th, snow amounts were slightly more variable across the area. While most counties measured at least 1-2, there were a few distinct corridors of slightly-higher 3-5 amounts. The primary one extended from around Ord, then southward through the Kearney and Holdrege areas, while another snow maximum set up farther east, mainly over mainly Polk/York counties. Per reports from dozens of CoCoRaHS and official NWS cooperative observers, some of the highest amounts included: 4.5 at Osceola, 4.2 in Ord, 4.1 near Arcadia and Shelby and 3.8 near York. In the Tri Cities, totals ranged from 2.0 in Hastings to 3.5 in Kearney.
For most local counties, the majority of snow fell between 4 p.m. and midnight, with less than one-half inch lingering into the early morning of the 17th. Forcing in the mid-upper levels was driven by a fairly low-amplitude shortwave trough swinging through the Central Plains, emanating from a broad, large-scale trough over the western United States. At the surface, a seasonably-cold airmass remained in place (daytime highs only around 15 F), reinforced by light easterly winds circulating around a weakening ridge axis centered from the Great Lakes into the Mid-South.
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 Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 16, 11:59 AM CST, 1 hour 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1159 AM CST Sat Feb 16 2019
.UPDATE...
Issued at 1052 AM CST Sat Feb 16 2019
Updated the forecast to include some patchy freezing drizzle
during the day today as we have had a few reports, although this
does not appear to be much of an impact on travel. Freezing
drizzle should remain rather patchy and isolated as soundings
suggest most locations cool to at least -10C after supercooled
droplets could be formed, making it very hard to support much
freezing drizzle. Nonetheless, it has been included for today.
Based on latest numerical model data, I increased snow amounts
enough in our northeast to include in winter weather advisory for
2 to 4 inches of snow for mainly tonight. Wind will not be a huge
issue for this event.
Kept the advisory going in our far south for a bit more potential
of freezing preciptiation.
&&
.SHORT TERM...(Today through Sunday)
Issued at 356 AM CST Sat Feb 16 2019
Quite a spread in temperatures this morning as a large area of
stratus continues to blanket most of the area. This has resulted
in areas along our eastern boundary, such as York, to drop to zero
degrees overnight...while most other cloud covered areas remain
in the lowers teens. While we could still see temperatures drop a
few degrees over the next couple of hours...did raise lows early
in the shift to reflect persistent of stratus overnight. With this
stratus have also seen some flurries in spots...mostly west of
Highway 281...with occasional light snow being reported at
Lexington, Kearney and Holdrege overnight. As a result...kept
mention of flurries going under this stratus through the late
morning hours...before lift from the approaching system will
result in more widespread light precipitation developing this
afternoon and evening. In fact...could see some light freezing
drizzle mainly across our Kansas counties with this system as the
dendritic layer will be slow to saturate across Kansas through
around 00Z...which could result in some light icing with a couple
hundredths of an inch of accumulation possible before a change
over to snow. As a result...decided to issue a winter weather
advisory for Jewell, Mitchell and Osborne counties in Kansas where
the greatest potential will be through midnight tonight.
Elsewhere..should see light snow develop during the mid to late
afternoon hours with the NAM being the most aggressive with
precip amounts...although the HRRR and RAP have both trended a bit
more moist overnight. As result...went with a blend of these
models and WPC guidance for QPF with this system...which resulted
in just over 3 inches of snow now forecast northeast of the tri-
cities. Due to some uncertainty in location of mid level
low...along with trend of NAM just a bit further north and east
with the 06Z run...opted to only mention isolated snowfall totals
in excess of 3 inches in HWO and hold off on a headline for
snowfall across some of our Nebraska counties for the time being.
While this will likely be a fairly modest snow producer...with
totals ranging from less than an inch across north central
Kansas...to near 3 inches in the most favored spots...light
snowfall will likely linger at times into the midday hours across
our northeast Sunday as moisture wraps around the backside of the
departing low and ample low cloud cover and the potential for
flurries will exist elsewhere for most of the day as skies will be
very slow to clear from the southwest.
Temperature wise...with clouds going no-where and the onset of
precip during the mid to late afternoon hours...expect a very
minimal diurnal rise in temps...with most locations struggling to
get out of the teens both today and Sunday...with overnight lows
dropping only into the lower teens overnight tonight.
.LONG TERM...(Sunday night through Friday)
Issued at 356 AM CST Sat Feb 16 2019
An active and cool weather pattern appears to be in store for the
local area as temperatures will remain well below normal through
much of the extended periods along with periodic chances for
snowfall. This is a result of the longwave trough over the west
persisting through much of next week along with multiple embedded
disturbances passing through. This troughy pattern will keep
temperatures well below normal through mid-week...along with a
potential system ejecting from the Rockies bringing a chance for
widespread modest snowfall amounts Tuesday into Tuesday night.
While it is still too early to pin point snowfall amounts...it
looks like there will at least be the potential for a couple of
inches of accumulating snowfall again Tuesday through Tuesday
night. Thereafter... temperatures will moderate towards the end of
the week...but remain below normal...as normals are on the
rise...reaching the lower to mid 40s by the end of the extended
periods. In addition...there will be multiple small chances for
light snowfall.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 18Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 18Z Sunday)
Issued at 1153 AM CST Sat Feb 16 2019
Snow is expected to overtake the terminals by this evening and
will lower visibility and ceilings for at least a few hours. KGRI
should experience a bit heavier snow than KEAR.
&&
.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 6 AM CST
Sunday for NEZ041-048-049-064.
KS...Winter Weather Advisory until midnight CST tonight for KSZ007-
018-019.
&&
UPDATE...Heinlein
SHORT TERM...Rossi
LONG TERM...Rossi
AVIATION...HeinleinHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Hastings NE 840 AM CST Sat Feb 16 2019 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 171200- Phillips-Smith-Jewell-Rooks-Osborne-Mitchell-Valley-Greeley-Nance- Sherman-Howard-Merrick-Polk-Dawson-Buffalo-Hall-Hamilton-York- Gosper-Phelps-Kearney-Adams-Clay-Fillmore-Furnas-Harlan-Franklin- Webster-Nuckolls-Thayer- 840 AM CST Sat Feb 16 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Another round of light snow is expected across the region today and tonight. The heaviest snowfall is expected north and east of the tri-cities, where isolated snowfall totals near 3 inches will be possible. Also, patchy light freezing drizzle is possible across the outlook area today. Additionally, precipitation will likely start off as a wintry mix across portions of north central Kansas, where a winter weather advisory is in effect from noon until midnight. Please see the latest advisory message for additional details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Multiple chances for light snow exist through the extended periods, with the best chance for accumulating snow coming Tuesday and Tuesday night, when several inches of snow look possible across much of the local area. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight. However, snow reports are always appreciated. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Heinlein
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
956 AM CST SAT FEB 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW GRAND ISLAND AIRPORT 40.97N 98.31W
02/16/2019 M2.8 INCH HALL NE ASOS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
&&
MANGELSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
1005 AM CST SAT FEB 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW 3 N YORK 40.91N 97.60W
02/16/2019 M2.2 INCH YORK NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
&&
MANGELSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
1006 AM CST SAT FEB 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW NWS HASTINGS OFFICE 40.65N 98.38W
02/16/2019 M2.7 INCH ADAMS NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
&&
MANGELSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
1113 AM CST SAT FEB 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW OSCEOLA 41.18N 97.55W
02/16/2019 M1.8 INCH POLK NE CO-OP OBSERVER
SNOW TOTAL FROM FRIDAY.
&&
MANGELSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
1114 AM CST SAT FEB 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW 3 NE SHELBY 41.22N 97.39W
02/16/2019 M1.9 INCH POLK NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL FROM FRIDAY.
&&
MANGELSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
1116 AM CST SAT FEB 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW 8 S ELWOOD 40.48N 99.89W
02/16/2019 M5.3 INCH GOSPER NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
1100 AM SNOW 2 ENE AXTELL 40.49N 99.08W
02/15/2019 M4.0 INCH KEARNEY NE BROADCAST MEDIA
NTV STUDIO. ONLY VERY LIGHT SNOW REMAINING.
0146 PM SNOW HEBRON 40.17N 97.59W
02/15/2019 E4.0 INCH THAYER NE CO-OP OBSERVER
ESTIMATED STORM TOTAL...NOT THE OBSERVERS
OFFICIAL REPORT.
0700 AM SNOW 1 N MINDEN 40.52N 98.95W
02/16/2019 M4.0 INCH KEARNEY NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 3 ENE WEBBER 39.95N 97.99W
02/16/2019 M3.5 INCH JEWELL KS COCORAHS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 3 SSE GRAFTON 40.59N 97.69W
02/16/2019 M3.5 INCH FILLMORE NE COCORAHS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0600 PM SNOW GENEVA 40.53N 97.60W
02/15/2019 M3.0 INCH FILLMORE NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 3 NNE JOHNSON LAKE 40.72N 99.82W
02/16/2019 M3.0 INCH DAWSON NE COCORAHS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW EDISON 40.28N 99.78W
02/16/2019 M3.0 INCH FURNAS NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 4NE KEARNEY 40.73N 99.01W
02/16/2019 M2.9 INCH BUFFALO NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW GRAND ISLAND AIRPORT 40.97N 98.31W
02/16/2019 M2.8 INCH HALL NE ASOS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW NWS HASTINGS OFFICE 40.65N 98.38W
02/16/2019 M2.7 INCH ADAMS NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW ORD 41.60N 98.93W
02/16/2019 M2.6 INCH VALLEY NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 4 E RED CLOUD 40.09N 98.44W
02/16/2019 M2.5 INCH WEBSTER NE COCORAHS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 6 ESE CLAY CENTER 40.50N 97.94W
02/16/2019 M2.4 INCH CLAY NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 2W ARCADIA 41.42N 99.16W
02/16/2019 M2.4 INCH VALLEY NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 3 N YORK 40.91N 97.60W
02/16/2019 M2.2 INCH YORK NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 2 NW ROCKVILLE 41.14N 98.86W
02/16/2019 M2.2 INCH SHERMAN NE COCORAHS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW GREELEY 41.55N 98.53W
02/16/2019 M2.2 INCH GREELEY NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 1 SSW BELOIT 39.46N 98.11W
02/16/2019 M2.1 INCH MITCHELL KS CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 6 NNE BELLAIRE 39.88N 98.65W
02/16/2019 M2.0 INCH SMITH KS COCORAHS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 4 E SCOTIA 41.47N 98.63W
02/16/2019 M2.0 INCH GREELEY NE COCORAHS
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW SMITH CENTER 39.78N 98.78W
02/16/2019 M2.0 INCH SMITH KS CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW LOUP CITY 41.28N 98.97W
02/16/2019 M2.0 INCH SHERMAN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW IONIA 39.66N 98.35W
02/16/2019 M2.0 INCH JEWELL KS CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW 3 NE SHELBY 41.22N 97.39W
02/16/2019 M1.9 INCH POLK NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL FROM FRIDAY.
0700 AM SNOW OSCEOLA 41.18N 97.55W
02/16/2019 M1.8 INCH POLK NE CO-OP OBSERVER
SNOW TOTAL FROM FRIDAY.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
15 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
A snowfall total of 3.0 inches occurred in Edison and Wilsonville. Also, a trained spotter reported 3.0 inches of snowfall in Arapahoe, and another cooperative observer reported 2.7 inches 6 miles north-northwest of Oxford.
A snowfall total of 3.0 inches occurred 8 miles south of Elwood.
A snowfall total of 3.0 inches occurred 6 miles south southeast of Lexington.
A snowfall total of 3.0 inches occurred in Holdrege.
A snowfall total of 4.2 inches occurred in Ord and 4.1 inches fell in Arcadia.
A snowfall total of 3.8 inches occurred in Saint Paul.
A snowfall total of 3.5 inches occurred at Kearney Regional Airport.
A snowfall total of 2.2 inches occurred at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island.
A snowfall total of 2.5 inches occurred in Greeley.
A snowfall total of 3.1 inches occurred 2 miles northwest of Rockville.
A snowfall total of 4.5 inches occurred in Osceola, 4.1 inches fell 3 miles northeast of Shelby, and 4.0 inches fell in Polk.
A snowfall total of 3.8 inches occurred 3 miles north of York, 3.5 inches fell 3 miles west of Gresham and 3.4 inches fell in Bradshaw.
Based on snowfall reports from nearby counties and NOHRSC snowfall analysis maps, most of Merrick County likely received 2-3 of snow, with the far northeast perhaps closer to 4.
Based on snowfall reports from nearby counties and NOHRSC snowfall analysis maps, most of Hamilton County likely received 2-3 of snow.
A snowfall total of 3.5 inches occurred 2 miles west Genoa.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, February 2019
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: 806723, 806736, 808928, 808929, 806719, 806721, 806722, 806737, 806738, 808974, 806718, 806720, 808975, 808976, 808925.