Blizzard and Winter Storm in Nebraska, November 30, 2019

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Nebraska, November 30, 2019
Start: 2019-11-30T07:00
End: 2019-11-30T23:59
Location: Nebraska

November 30, 2019 · NWS LBF · 12 events in 12 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 12 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: $60,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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 strong storm system caused blizzard and winter storm conditions to develop across north central Nebraska during the morning hours on November 30th and continued during the afternoon through the evening hours. Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 10 inches, with the heaviest snowfall occurring across far northern Nebraska. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph developed during the late morning hours and continued during the afternoon and evening hours. This caused considerable blowing and drifting and visibilities as low as a quarter mile at times. Some road closures also occurred across north central Nebraska.

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 Nov 30, 5:32 AM MST, 1 hour 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 30, 5:32 AM MST, 1 hour 28 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
632 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019

.SHORT TERM...(Today through Sunday)
Issued at 355 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019

The next major winter system is already impacting portions of
northern Nebraska this morning. This strong low pressure system will
bring rain, snow, and strong winds to much of north central and
western Nebraska through Saturday and into Sunday morning.

Warmer temperatures south of Highway 2 have kept precipitation as
all rain or drizzle. However, across the north where colder air has
been pushing into the region, precipitation has changed over to
sleet and light snow. As this low continues to deepen and develop
over central Nebraska and colder air filters in behind it,
precipitation will become all snow across the region. Snow will be
heaviest across the north (generally north of Highway 2). Here, snow
will taper from near 11 inches across northern Sheridan county to 2
inches in Custer county. An inch can be expected along the I-80
corridor with less than and inch expected south of I-80.

In addition to snow accumulations, this system will also bring the
potential for extremely strong winds. As the low develops and
strengthens over Nebraska, the pressure gradient will tighten
resulting in strong surface winds. The strongest winds will likely
be between 9am CST and 6pm CST. During this timeframe, gusts up to
55 to 65 mph (possibly even up to 70 mph) could be seen across
southwest Nebraska and into central Nebraska. These strong winds
will be of concern across northern Nebraska where the heaviest
snowfall is expected. Blowing and drifting snow as well as
visibility reductions are anticipated on Saturday. If traveling,
expect snow covered and slippery roadways.

Have gone ahead and upgraded Holt county from a winter weather
advisory to a winter storm warning. The main reasons for the upgrade
include the concerns for strong winds with light snow. While snow
totals across the county will only be in the 2 to 4 inch range, wind
gusts up to 40 to 45 mph Saturday evening will cause significant
blowing and drifting of snow. The strong winds will also cause
reductions in visibility leading to hazardous travel conditions.
With Boyd county to the north already in a winter storm warning and
expected to see similar snow and wind criteria, it seemed logical to
put Holt in the warning as well. In addition, have included Wheeler
county in the high wind warning. Snow totals are expected to be only
in the 1 to 2 inch range, but winds will still gust to 45 to 50 mph.
While slightly below high wind criteria, there is a concern of an
isolated stronger gust to 55 or 60 mph on Saturday evening which
would verify a high wind warning in this area.

Some concerns with the forecast already include the potential to be
too low on snow totals. As this is written we received a snow total
of 8 inches in Chadron already. While Chadron is not in our forecast
area, it is just to the west. This is about 3 inches higher than
what has been forecasted. Will need to keep an eye on reports across
northern Sheridan county as this could mean totals need to be
increased across this area as well.

Gusty winds up to 40 mph will continue across north central Nebraska
through 6am CST Sunday before completely diminishing as the low
pressure system pushes off to the northeast and the pressure
gradient loosens. Precipitation will also continue through Saturday
night and into Sunday morning across the north. Light additional
snowfall is expected (1 to 3 inches). Blowing snow will remain a
concern through Saturday night and Sunday before winds decrease
Sunday afternoon.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday night through Friday)
Issued at 355 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019

Quieter weather returns on Sunday afternoon as high pressure builds
into the central Plains. This high will bring pleasant weather to
north central Nebraska through next week. A quick moving shortwave
moving off the Rockies will result in precipitation Thursday moving
across northern Kansas. For now, will put some slight chance PoPs
(15 to 20 percent) in the forecast for Thursday morning and
afternoon. Temperatures in the 40s will keep this precipitation as
all liquid. This may have to be adjusted over the next several days
as models get a better handle on this shortwave.

For temperatures, despite recent snow pack, highs will return into
the low to mid 40s across the north by the middle of next week.
Highs are expected to reach the low 50s south of I-80. Low
temperatures remain in the the 20s through the end of the week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday morning)
Issued at 548 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019

Unsettled weather next 24 hours with myriad of aviation concerns.
Storm system with surface low currently overhead will evolve east
across Nebraska today. This will promote strong winds area-wide,
peaking up to 65 mph with the highest gusts across the southeast
Panhandle to southwest NE to the southern Sandhills. Meanwhile,
precip/snow will grow in coverage and intensity this morning-early
afternoon from northwestern NE east and south. Of which, snow
more so occasional farther south. Blizzard conditions anticipated
at times across far northwest Sandhills and parts of northern NE
today-tonight. Flight categories IFR-LIFR across much of the
Sandhills and northern NE, MVFR elsewhere. Flight categories will
see little improvement today, especially across northern NE with
falling and blowing snow. Thereafter will see some improvement
across the southeast Panhandle and southwestern NE as low-end VFR
ceilings (less than 7 kft) start to spread there.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Warning until 6 AM CST /5 AM MST/ Sunday for NEZ022-
026>029-035>038-056>059-069>071.

Winter Storm Warning from noon today to noon CST Sunday for
NEZ007-010.

Blizzard Warning until noon CST /11 AM MST/ Sunday for NEZ004-
005-023-024-094.

Blizzard Warning from 9 AM this morning to noon CST Sunday for
NEZ006-008-009-025.

&&

SHORT TERM...Kulik
LONG TERM...Kulik
AVIATION...ET

Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 30, 3:36 AM MST, 3 hours 24 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
436 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-011045-
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-
436 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 /336 AM MST Sat Nov 30 2019/

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

Blizzard warnings, winter storm warnings, and high wind warnings
are in effect. Blizzard conditions are expected across parts of
northern Nebraska and the northwest Sandhills as strong winds,
snow, and blowing snow occur. The heaviest snowfall, 6 inches or
more, is expected along and north of Highway 20 west of
Valentine. Travel could be very difficult to impossible.
Elsewhere, high winds with gusts up to 65 mph are anticipated
across the southeast Panhandle, southwestern Nebraska and the
southern Sandhills. See the latest winter weather and high wind
messages for more detailed information. Keep up to date with the
latest forecast with the National Weather Service, and check the
latest road conditions with Nebraska 5 1 1 before traveling.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

Blizzard and winter storm warnings are in effect to noon central
standard time Sunday across northern Nebraska and the far
northwest Sandhills. Elsewhere, patchy blowing snow can be
expected Sunday. Remember to check the latest road conditions
with Nebraska 5 1 1 if traveling.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight, however,
snow and wind reports are appreciated.

&&

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

In the hours before

Local storm report, Nov 30, 5:54 AM MST, 1 hour 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
654 AM CST SAT NOV 30 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0653 AM     SNOW             6 N GORDON              42.89N 102.20W
11/30/2019  E5.0 INCH        SHERIDAN           NE   CO-OP OBSERVER

            POOR VISIBILITY FROM FALLING SNOW. WINDS LIGHT.

&&

ET

Local storm report, Nov 30, 6:27 AM MST, 33 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
727 AM CST SAT NOV 30 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             1 NNE VALENTINE         42.89N 100.54W
11/30/2019  M2.9 INCH        CHERRY             NE   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NEW SNOW AS OF 7 AM CST.

&&

ET

Special weather statement, Nov 30, 6:42 AM MST, 18 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
742 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019

NEZ022-035>037-056>059-301700-
Garden-Arthur-McPherson-Logan-Deuel-Keith-Perkins-Lincoln-
Including the cities of Oshkosh, Lewellen, Arthur, Tryon,
Ringgold, Stapleton, Chappell, Big Springs, Ogallala, Paxton,
Grant, and North Platte
742 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 /642 AM MST Sat Nov 30 2019/

...SNOW SHOWERS OR SNOW SQUALLS POSSIBLE THROUGH LATE MORNING...

Conditions will favor snow showers or snow squalls through late
morning as a strong winter storm moves east across Nebraska.
Affected locations will see rapidly changing conditions with
brief heavy snow and gusty winds, including visibilities less than
a half mile at times. Quick snow accumulations of an inch or so
are possible.

Those traveling are encouraged to follow the weather and check
the latest road conditions before going out. Be prepared for
blowing and drifting snow and hazardous travel conditions in snow
showers or snow squalls.

ET

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 blizzard, 3 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Sheridan

When: November 30, 7:00 AM MST to 11:59 PM MST
Where: Sheridan forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.505, -102.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A cooperative observer located 6 miles north of Gordon reported a total snowfall of 9 inches. Blizzard conditions began during the daytime hours on November 30th through the evening hours. Snowfall ranged from 9 inches across northern Sheridan County to 3 inches across the south. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times across Sheridan County. The Nebraska Department of Transportation closed all roads across Sheridan County during the event.

Blizzard, Western Cherry

When: November 30, 7:00 AM MST to 11:59 PM MST
Where: Western Cherry forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.545, -101.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

General public located 6 miles north of Cody reported 6 inches of snowfall. Blizzard conditions began during the daytime hours on November 30th through the evening hours. Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 6 inches across western Cherry County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused blizzard conditions and numerous road closures across western Cherry County.

Blizzard, Eastern Cherry

When: November 30, 8:00 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Eastern Cherry forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.545, -101.119 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The snow observer at Valentine reported 6 inches of snowfall. Blizzard conditions began during the daytime hours on November 30th through the evening hours. Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 7 inches across eastern Cherry County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused blizzard conditions and numerous road closures across eastern Cherry County.

Blizzard, Keya Paha

When: November 30, 8:00 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Keya Paha forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 42.879, -99.712 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A CoCORaHS observer located 7 miles northeast of Mills reported 9 inches of snowfall. Blizzard conditions began during the afternoon hours on November 30th through the evening hours. Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 9 inches across Keya Paha County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused blizzard conditions and numerous road closures across Keya Paha County.

Blizzard, Brown

When: November 30, 8:00 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Brown forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.430, -99.929 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A Cooperative observer located in Ainsworth reported 3 inches of snowfall. Freezing drizzle preceded the snow during the early morning hours, changing to snow after 6 am CST. Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across Brown County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts as high around 50 mph during the daytime and into the evening hours caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused blizzard conditions and some road closures across Brown County.

Blizzard, Rock

When: November 30, 8:00 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Rock forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.421, -99.450 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A Cooperative observer located in Bassett reported 3.6 inches of snowfall. Freezing drizzle preceded the snow during the early morning hours, changing to snow after 6 am CST. Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across Rock County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph during the daytime and into the evening hours caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused blizzard conditions and some road closures across Rock County.

Blizzard, Thomas

When: November 30, 8:00 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Thomas forecast zone
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 41.914, -100.556 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A CoCoRaHS observer in Halsey reported 5.5 inches of snowfall. Freezing drizzle preceded the snow during the early morning hours, changing to snow after 6 am CST. Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across Thomas County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph during the daytime and into the evening hours caused numerous downed power poles and power lines from ice covered power lines. The high winds also caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused blizzard conditions and some road closures across Thomas County.

Blizzard, Hooker

When: November 30, 8:00 AM MST to 11:59 PM MST
Where: Hooker forecast zone
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 41.916, -101.135 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A CoCoRaHS observer in Mullen reported 5 inches of snowfall. Freezing drizzle preceded the snow during the early morning hours, changing to snow after 6 am CST. Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches across Hooker County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph during the daytime and into the evening hours caused numerous downed power poles and power lines from ice covered power lines. The high winds also caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused blizzard conditions and some road closures across Hooker County.

Blizzard, Grant

When: November 30, 8:00 AM MST to 11:59 PM MST
Where: Grant forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.915, -101.740 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

General public in Hyannis reported 4 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches across Grant County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph during the daytime and into the evening hours caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused blizzard conditions and some road closures across Grant County.

Winter Storm, Boyd

When: November 30, 12:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Boyd forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 42.900, -98.766 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A CoCoRaHS observer located 6 miles west northwest of Naper reported 10 inches of snowfall. Freezing drizzle preceded the snow during the morning hours, changing to snow after 12 pm CST. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches across Boyd County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph during the afternoon and into the evening hours caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused some road closures across Boyd County.

Winter Storm, Holt

When: November 30, 12:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM 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 located 3 miles southwest of Atkinson reported 3 inches of snowfall. Freezing drizzle preceded the snow during the morning hours, changing to snow after 12 pm CST. Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 8 inches across Holt County, with the heaviest snowfall across northern Holt County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 50 mph during the afternoon and into the evening hours caused considerable blowing and drifting snow with visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. This caused some road closures across northern Holt County.

Winter Storm, Custer

When: November 30, 12:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Custer forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.394, -99.726 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A Cooperative Observer located 2 miles west of Broken Bow reported freezing drizzle preceding 1 inch of snowfall overnight. Snowfall amounts ranged from 1 to 2 inches across Custer County. Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with a few gusts up to 65 mph during the afternoon and into the evening hours caused 30 power poles and power lines to be downed and 350 customers without power.

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 Nebraska in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, November 2019

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: 859426, 859427, 859428, 860728, 860730, 860731, 860733, 860732, 861728, 860735, 860736, 864383.