Between the afternoon hours on February 24th and the evening of February 25th, a system brought snow and gusty winds to northwest Kansas. While snowfall accumulation was not significant, snow caused roadways to become slick throughout northwestern Kansas leading to several accidents.
Every event with a place to put it; 6 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 GLD wrote it up.
Between the afternoon hours on February 24th and the evening of February 25th, a system brought snow and gusty winds to northwest Kansas. While snowfall accumulation was not significant, snow caused roadways to become slick throughout northwestern Kansas leading to several accidents. Several snow squall warnings were issued due to brief periods of blowing snow leading to reduced visibilties associated with a heavy band of snow moving from north to south across northwest Kansas and far east-central Colorado.
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 Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 24, 2:34 PM CST, 26 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Goodland KS 134 PM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 .UPDATE... Issued at 1136 AM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 Update to forecast for NE Colorado due to the quick changeover to snow as the frontal boundary pushes eastward. Temps are going from the 40s into the 30s. AKO web cam showing a burst of snow in the enhanced portion of the band of precip with the front, and expect that for portions of the CWA over the next hour or so. Special Wx Statement out to cover reduced visibility/potentially hazard travel. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Wednesday night) Issued at 235 AM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 The primary forecast concerns are wind over the next couple of days along with the possibility of the area receiving a wintry mix of precipitation. A couple of cold fronts push across the central High Plains region Today and again on Tuesday as a couple of short waves rotate through the base of the deepening upper trough on the east side of the Rockies. The surface low centers remain well south and east of the forecast area while surges of cold air push through the region. These front and cold surges will bring a chance of precipitation to the area late today and overnight with a second chance of precipitation during the day on Tuesday. The initial chance of precipitation today may start out as a mix of rain and snow, but is expected to be mostly all rain as temperatures rise above freezing. Precipitation lingering in the northeastern portions of the forecast area tonight will change to light snow as temperatures drop below freezing. The second front and surge of cold air moving into the region on Tuesday will keep temperatures below freezing through the day for much of the area, so expect mainly light snow with the southern and eastern sections to see a mix of rain and snow during the afternoon on Tuesday as highs reach above freezing. Total snowfall accumulations between today and Tuesday will range from a Trace near I-70 to around one inch near McCook. Areas south of I-70 will see only very light rain and snowfall with little to no accumulations. The upper trough moves over the Mississippi valley region on Wednesday with northwest flow aloft over the central High Plains that will push the colder air out of the region. Even though early morning low temperatures Wednesday morning will range from 10 degrees over eastern Colorado to the upper teens over central Kansas, high temperatures by Wednesday will be back up into the 40s with dry conditions. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 133 PM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 Quiet and dry conditions are expected for much of the extended forecast. The forecast starts out with northwest flow aloft over the Tri-State area as an upper level trough moves eastward into Missouri and an upper ridge builds over the Western U.S. High temperatures Wednesday will range from the upper 30s in the eastern part of the area to the low 49s in extreme Southwestern Nebraska, Eastern Colorado, and Northwestern Kansas. Temperatures will start a gradual warming trend through the weekend as the ridge moves into the Central High Plains. High temperatures will return to the low to mid-50s on Friday, potentially reaching the 60s on Saturday and Sunday. Lows will be in the upper teens to low 20s on Thursday morning, returning to the upper 20s to low 30s on Sunday morning. Model guidance is showing the possibility of an upper trough beginning to move into the region on Monday. Put in low PoPs for the day as there may be a potential for some moisture. With this being day seven, a lot can and likely will change. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) Issued at 1037 AM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 Main concerns for the forecast period for both terminals(KGLD/KMCK), will be strong NNW winds and timing of expected rain/snow as wx system traverses the area. MVFR rain is possible from 20z this afternoon into this evening. Around 5sm for visibility and ceilings will range from OVC030-060. Lowest conditions for KMCK. From 12z Tuesday onward, light snow with ceilings at least OVC020 will develop. Timing of onset still low, but for now have have 6sm as a reduction...but could be lower. Winds for KGLD, WSW 10-20kts thru 20z, then NNW 15-25kts w/ gusts to 40kts. Blowing snow may be of concern towards the end of the forecast period, but with onset timing a concern, will focus that on next taf issuance. Winds for KMCK, W around 10kts thru 21z, then NW 15-30kts. Blowing snow may be of concern towards the end of the forecast period, but with onset timing a concern, will focus that on next taf issuance. && .GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...NONE. CO...NONE. NE...NONE. && UPDATE...JN SHORT TERM...LOCKHART LONG TERM...AW AVIATION...JN
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Goodland KS 949 AM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-251700- Yuma County-Kit Carson County-Cheyenne County-Cheyenne-Rawlins- Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove- Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-Red Willow- 949 AM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 /1049 AM CST Mon Feb 24 2020/ This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska... northwest Kansas and east central Colorado. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... Northwest winds will gust up to 45 mph mainly this afternoon, along with a few light rain and snow showers in the wake of a cold front moving across the area today. Little to no accumulation is expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... Strong winds will continue on Tuesday with sustained northwest to north winds around 30 mph with gusts approaching 50 mph. Light snow will move across the area with the next surge of cold air with total accumulations remaining less than one inch north of Interstate 70. South of Interstate 70, little to no accumulation is expected. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Goodland KS 1119 AM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 COZ090>092-242000- Yuma County-Kit Carson County-Cheyenne County- Including the cities of Yuma, Wray, Burlington, Arapahoe, and Cheyenne Wells 1119 AM MST Mon Feb 24 2020 ...REDUCED VISIBILITY IN SNOWFALL IN NORTHEAST COLORADO... A cold front moving through northeast Colorado is producing a quick rain to snow scenario as temperatures go from the 40s into the 30s. Snowfall could result in visibility down to at least a mile at times, causing a potential travel hazard through at least 100 pm. Those traveling on area roadways should use caution during this time and slow down. JN
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Two accidents were reported. One accident occurred on Interstate 70 with one injury at 2158Z on February 25th, 2020. A slide off was also reported on Highway 24, east of Goodland, Kansas.
Camper was damaged due to vehicle accident at Park exit on Interstate 70 at 2241Z on February 25th, 2020.
There was a rollover accident at Highway 36 and CR E2. No injuries reported.
Multiple minor accidents along US Highway 36 due to blowing snow and poor visibility reported at 1900Z. Snow squall conditions occurred between 1502Z and 1615Z as less than quarter mile visibility due to heavy blowing snow was reported in Saint Francis, Kansas.
An accident along Interstate 70 just east of Goodland, Kansas due to blowing snow was reported at 1845Z. Snow squall conditions were presumed to have occurred between 1443Z and 1657Z due to proximity to counties meeting criteria and radar signatures. The snow squall conditions were due to a slow moving band of heavier snow that led to near-blizzard conditions for less than 3 hours.
Snow squall conditions were presumed to have occurred based on proximity to other counties meeting criteria as well as radar signatures.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, February 2020
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: 874009, 874004, 874006, 874002, 874008, 877280.