A powerful storm system caused blizzard conditions and high winds across portions of north central and central Nebraska. Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to 60 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours.
Every event with a place to put it; 10 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 LBF wrote it up.
A powerful storm system caused blizzard conditions and high winds across portions of north central and central Nebraska. Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to 60 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times and caused numerous road closures. Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 5 inches.
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 22, 11:55 PM CST, 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service North Platte NE 1155 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2020 .UPDATE... Issued at 720 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2020 Latest model guidance appears to be in good agreement with regards to current radar trends. With this in mind, have increased POPs in the 03-06Z timeframe to better reflect the onset of rain/snow in the far northeastern CWA. Another trend of note in latest guidance is an increase in QPFs across the northern CWA. Have trended total QPF up slightly in the northeast but have stayed on the conservative side of high-res guidance. The current forecast now paints a narrow area of 2-3" across Keya Paha, Boyd, and Holt Counties and an areal expansion of 1" amounts to the southwest. Have expanded the Winter Weather Advisory another tier southwest to encompass the slight increase in totals. Will defer to the next shift on any upgrades to ongoing headlines, though blizzard wording may be warranted if trends continue. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday night) Issued at 356 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2020 The primary forecast challenge revolves around the powerful storm crossing the northern Plains over the next day or so. High winds are expected across all of western and north central Nebraska, while snow will accompany the wind in the north and possible blowing dust in the far southwest. The weather pattern returns to mild and dry for Christmas Day and the first half of the weekend. Tonight... A surface low rapidly deepens as it emerges onto the High Plains and cuts across south Dakota. The attendant cold front stretches southwest through Nebraska and exits our forecast area by 06z. An accompanying upper trough quickly follows, digging through the Plains overnight and taking a more neutral orientation. This combination results in high winds and increased precipitation potential. Surface pressure changes will be as much as 2mb/hr falls ahead of the front to 2mb/hr rises behind it, while H85 flow surpasses 50 kts. Mechanical mixing will bring much of this to the surface, and forecast soundings indicate at least 60 mph gusts in the Sandhills. Some guidance suggests 65 to possibly 70 mph in the panhandle and far southwest Nebraska. Expanded the High Wind Warning to all counties with this forecast package. Precip chances also increase overnight with temperatures dropping into the teens and lower 20s. Guidance has trended stronger with the upper level component and maxing out frontogenesis over northern Nebraska. Southerly flow and isentropic upglide have been pulling additional moisture into the region. Raised PoP accordingly, which is also in line with morning runs of the CAMs suite. Thermal profiles suggest any precip starting as rain in the far west shortly after sundown as CAA lags behind the front a bit. As soon as H85 temps plummet from around 0C at 06z to -10C at 12z, all locations should be receiving snow. A couple situations come into play regarding moisture overnight... one is scattered coverage through 12z and more rain/snow shower setup, and the other being a broad area of generally light precip. Either way, not expecting much accumulation before daybreak, especially with SLR's around 10:1 or lower. Wednesday and Wed night... The precip situation evolves into a more organized setup, presenting a greater potential for a swath of heavier moisture (north central) and continued shower activity (northwest). Depending on the magnitude and placement of the main wrap-around band of precip from the low, accumulations are appearing more likely across north central Neb. Cross sections also suggest periods of enhanced lift and weakly negative EPV, which will result in bursts of heavier snow. Increased snow totals slightly across the far north and into parts of central Neb, roughly using the 1" contour for a new Winter Weather Advisory. While totals may not be large with a current max around 2", high winds will definitely result in winter impacts. Any location with falling snow will experience significant blowing and reduced visibility. Stayed away from blizzard wording due to low confidence in any sustained 3-hr period of whiteout conditions. The most likely scenario right now appears to be off-and-on snow showers with a one to two hour period of heavier snow (central Neb). One big caveat... the latest (afternoon) guidance is trending even stronger across the north central zones, alluding to double the accumulation in the official forecast. This trend will need monitored through the evening. Snow tapers from west to east through the afternoon with all activity having ended 21-00z. However, patches of blowing snow could continue through the evening depending on how much has fallen. Farther southwest near the Colorado border, not much moisture is anticipated. Due to drought conditions and post-harvest, included blowing dust wording in the forecast. The wind should relax somewhat after sunset as the surface low pulls away, but sustained strong flow aloft. .LONG TERM...(Thursday through Tuesday) Issued at 356 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2020 Thursday and beyond... The upper trough digs further on Thursday and spins off a closed low over the Upper Midwest, while the next ridge builds over the Desert Southwest. A stark temperature gradient is still looking good for Nebraska with H85 temps range from around 2C in the panhandle to -10C north central, roughly translating to mid 20s vs mid 40s for highs. Potential also exists for some flurries across the north as a weak impulse rides along the trough. The upper ridge centers over the High Plains for Christmas Day while a surface high pressure also takes over. H85 winds become consistent out of the west, aiding in the milder conditions. Guidance has trended warmer slightly with highs ranging from upper 40s north central to mid 50s southwest. The next cold front arrives late Saturday, which may present another chance of moisture, although major impacts appear unlikely at the moment. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Wednesday night) Issued at 1141 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2020 Winds will continue to increase and remain very strong through the overnight and Wednesday. Northwest wind gust up to 50 kts possible with sustained winds over 40 kts. Snow will continue to move eastward across the Sandhills, southwest and north central Nebraska. The combination of snow and strong winds will create blowing snow reducing visibilities, especially across north central Nebraska including KVTN terminal. Cig values will continue to lower overnight. MVFR and IFR conditions will be possible across north central Nebraska with reduced visibilities. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ Wednesday for NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ Wednesday for NEZ005>010-025>029-037-038-094. && UPDATE...Brown SHORT TERM...Snively LONG TERM...Snively AVIATION...Gomez
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service North Platte NE 1041 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2020 NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-240445- 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- 1041 PM CST Tue Dec 22 2020 /941 PM MST Tue Dec 22 2020/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central Nebraska. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. A strong arctic cold front will push through the area tonight. Strong northwest winds with gusts to around 60 mph are expected. Light snow is also likely, mainly after midnight across northern and central Nebraska. A Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect at midnight for snow and blowing snow across northern into central Nebraska. Slippery road conditions and significantly reduced visibilities can be expected with blowing snow. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. On Wednesday, strong northwest winds are expected to gust to around 60 mph at times. This will create hazardous travel conditions, especially for high profile and lightweight vehicles. Blowing dust is possible across portions of southwest Nebraska, leading to reductions in visibility. A High Wind Warning is in effect across most of western and north central Nebraska. Snow will continue into Wednesday evening, with slippery road conditions and blowing snow reducing visiblity expected. Wind chill values will be near or below zero Wednesday morning, and again on Wednesday night. After Wednesday, no hazardous weather is expected. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight. && Get your weather, hydrological, and climate information at http://www.weather.gov/northplatte
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
1114 PM CST TUE DEC 22 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1043 PM NON-TSTM WND GST IMPERIAL 40.52N 101.64W
12/22/2020 M63 MPH CHASE NE ASOS
&&
BTAYLORThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to 60 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Keya Paha County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times. Snowfall amounts ranged around 2 inches.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to 60 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Brown County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 3 inches.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to 60 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Blaine County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 3 inches.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to as high as 66 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Custer County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 5 inches. Highest snowfall amounts were near Sargent in northeast Custer County.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to as high as 66 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Rock County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to as high as 66 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Loup County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to as high as 66 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Boyd County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. A Cooperative observer reported 3.4 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Boyd County ranged from 2 to 4 inches.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to as high as 60 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Holt County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. A Cooperative observer near Atkinson reported 4 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Holt County ranged from 2 to 4 inches.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to as high as 66 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Garfield County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. A CoCoRaHS observer near Burwell reported 5 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Garfield County ranged from 3 to 5 inches.
Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph gusting to as high as 60 mph combined with snow to create blizzard conditions during the early morning through the early afternoon hours across Wheeler County. Visibility was reduced to near zero at times causing road closures. A CoCoRaHS observer located 13 miles northeast of Bartlett reported 3.6 inches of snowfall near Burwell reported 5 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Wheeler County ranged from 2 to 4 inches.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, December 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: 927380, 927381, 927382, 927383, 927384, 927385, 927386, 927387, 927388, 927389.