A winter storm brought heavy snow to portions of north central Nebraska on December 10th, 2021. Snow began during the evening hours on December 9th, and continued during the morning and afternoon hours, and ended by mid evening.
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 LBF wrote it up.
A winter storm brought heavy snow to portions of north central Nebraska on December 10th, 2021. Snow began during the evening hours on December 9th, and continued during the morning and afternoon hours, and ended by mid evening. The heaviest snowfall fell across the northern half of Sheridan and Cherry Counties, where snowfall amounts from 8 to nearly 12 inches fell.
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 9, 4:38 PM MST, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service North Platte NE 538 PM CST Thu Dec 9 2021 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 408 PM CST Thu Dec 9 2021 The main forecast challenge through Friday night revolves around the incoming winter storm. Upper level zonal flow over Nebraska will transition to southwest through the night as the trough currently centered over California will dig into the Great Basin and Four Corners. The trough then bisects the forecast area late Friday and take on a more neutral tilt. At the surface, a low pressure near the Denver metro is starting to deepen as of this afternoon. Not much movement is expected overnight, but it really picks up steam tomorrow as it ventures onto the Plains and ultimately reaches the Quad Cities IA/IL area tomorrow night. Other factors compounding this system are a strong H3 jet with speeds 120kt+ that eventually becomes coupled late tomorrow and a deepening H7 low that tracks right across the Sandhills. As of 21z, the beginning of the baroclinic leaf is noted on water vapor imagery, stretching from the Pacific Coast up to the Laramie Range. Radar echoes in western Nebraska are showing the enhanced mid- level moisture and cloud deck. Expect this activity to eventually become the main deformation band as H5-7 frontogenesis ramps up tonight. Isentropic upglide is rather strong, most notable at 290K, which roughly corresponds to H7-85. Surface and low level winds are also transitioning to more easterly flow. In addition to enhanced moisture advection, upslope winds will aid in some forcing/lift. In response, steadily increased PoP after 00z across northwest Neb. Most of Sheridan and W.Cherry should receive moderate snow by 03z, and the band beginning to stretch east along the Hwy 20 corridor by 06z. Will need to monitor the development of this band as dry air reigns supreme in the low levels currently, as shown by 20-30F surface dew point depressions at KGRN, KVTN, KONL. It will take some time for the column to fully saturate, especially for areas east of the panhandle. Checked forecast soundings for potential freezing drizzle at the onset, but found little evidence. Still cannot be completely ruled out, especially for the eastern zones where low and mid level saturation will occur tomorrow morning and a surface inversion capable of trapping moisture. Thinking the 06z-12z timeframe will be crucial for snow accumulation for the western half of the Winter Storm Warning areas. Forecast soundings suggest ample lift in the H5-7 layer, which directly correlates to the majority of the DGZ. Some solutions also show the classic isothermal layer developing, increasing time for aggregates in the DGZ. Additionally, cross sections indicate some slight theta- E folding and negative EPV values from KCDR to KVTN. Snow rates may exceed 1"/hr at times, leading to quick accumulations. Cold air advection later in the night will help increase SLR's from around 8:1 up to 14:1. One caveat in this setup is the northward trend in the latest model guidance. The highest confidence for significant snowfall (6-10") is generally along and north of Hwy 20. After 12z Friday, things get more tricky, especially relating to the widening/weakening of the main deformation band, the formation of a second band, dry air intrusion, and the extent of wrap-around moisture. Used a blend mainly consisting of HREF, NAMnest, RAP to capture a general picture of timing, location, and qpf. The bulk of the heavy snow should shift into South Dakota after sunrise, but enough forcing at H5-7 remains across Nebraska to support a southward extent of light to moderate snow. Forecast soundings suggest at least a six hour window of appreciable precip as far south as I-80 with the peak accumulation occurring mid-morning through early afternoon. The thermal profile is not as supportive of dendrites or heavy rates compared to the far north, but impacts will likely still be felt. Bouts of stronger lift and variations in the H85-7 temp that increase the DGZ may lead to pockets of heavier snow embedded in the main batch of light snow. The second primary deformation band may brush far north central Neb, generally Holt and Boyd Cos, mid to late afternoon as the system strengthens over the Upper Midwest. Thinking the greatest wrap-around activity will affect far northern and northwest Neb, which may also be enhanced by orographic lift along the Pine Ridge. Some light snow showers may linger into the late evening hours over north central Neb, but all snow should be done by 06z Sat. All in all, confidence decreases in snow amounts outside the Warning area as there will likely be a steep/narrow gradient of 6"+ and 1-2" amounts. With that said, made no change to current headlines. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 408 PM CST Thu Dec 9 2021 The long term pattern in the extended period will be characterized by broad height rises over the middle part of the country through the weekend as the Friday system exists the area, resulting in a quasi-zonal flow aloft transitioning to southwesterly flow as the next long wave trough develops off the CA coast. Weekend temperatures are expected to rebound fairly quickly under large scale subsidence and sunshine, except of course where snow cover will ultimately exist. Temps likely to remain below average in the north and closer to average in the south Saturday (low-mid 40s), but returning to above average for this time of year by Sunday. Strong ridging and subsequent downstream jet streak intensification, followed by anticyclonic wave breaking in the northern Pacific will teleconnect to a building ridge by Monday into Tuesday and the first part of Wednesday in the Plains. Model ensemble clustering suggests differences in timing of the very quick moving upper low from the 4 corners region Tuesday into Wednesday. A general track of the upper low moving across the northern Plains looks favored for now which would put much of western and north central NE in the warm sector of this approaching storm system Wednesday. While some instability is suggested for Wednesday the trend for significant moisture return is uncertain to support widespread rain with embedded thunderstorms at this time. Precip chances have been included and will be fine tuned as guidance refines moisture availability. There is high confidence in very strong winds for Wednesday, both in the warm sector and behind the cold front. Wind gusts over 35 mph looks likely at this point. The anomalous ridging developing across the Plains in the Tuesday/Wed time frame may support record or near record high temps once again, though timing differences in ensemble solutions yields only medium confidence in that. But well above average temps for that period does look likely. The anomalously warm temps and strong winds on may well provide a critical fire weather period Tuesday afternoon, but especially Wednesday afternoon. As forecasts become more refined those details will be updated as well, but the pattern suggests some concern in that time frame. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening) Issued at 537 PM CST Thu Dec 9 2021 KVTN: Flight conditions will be deteriorating as snow starts to move in from the southwest. Expect conditions will go below VFR early this evening as vsbys and cigs lower, then reach IFR after Midnight. Snow will be heavy at times but will wait for more definitive radar trends to develop before introducing more specific timing. May see precipitation lighten up for a period before daybreak but that will fill back in. Wind increases and blowing snow develops with poor flight conditions throug the latterportion of the valid period. KLBF: Main band of snowfall will become established to the north of KLBF, leaving VFR conditions through daybreak. However easterly flow will enhance with wind gusts over 25kt expected by early tonight. Snow and lower cigs arrive after daybreak with a period of IFR conditions mid morning into early afternoon. Winds will shift to a northwesterly direction and become gusty Friday afternoon as low pressure moves off to the east with gusts over 30kt at times. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 408 PM CST Thu Dec 9 2021 Despite the strong system on Friday, a rapid recovery in temperatures in the far southwest part of the state to some degree Saturday, but especially Sunday will still yield relative humidity values dipping below 20 percent again in the far southwest part of the state, assuming little to no snow cover. Winds for Saturday and Sunday should remain below 20 mph for the most part however which should lessen critical fire weather conditions. As referenced in the long term section, anomalously warm temps and strong winds on may well provide a more critical fire weather period Tuesday afternoon, but especially Wednesday afternoon. As forecasts become more refined those details will be updated as well, but the pattern suggests some concern in that time frame. While relative humidity forecasts are more uncertain at this time, there is decent confidence in very strong winds especially Wednesday ahead of the strong system, and a potential wind shift from west to northerly as well later as the system passes. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ Friday for NEZ004- 094. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ Friday for NEZ022>024-035-036. Winter Storm Warning from midnight CST /11 PM MST/ tonight to 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ Friday for NEZ005>010. Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 6 PM CST Friday for NEZ025>029-037. && SHORT TERM...Snively LONG TERM...Stoppkotte AVIATION...MBS FIRE WEATHER...Stoppkotte
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service North Platte NE 314 PM CST Thu Dec 9 2021 NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-102115- 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- 314 PM CST Thu Dec 9 2021 /214 PM MST Thu Dec 9 2021/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central Nebraska. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. A winter storm bringing snow will cross the area starting this evening in the Panhandle. Most of northern Nebraska is in a Winter Storm Warning, the northwest counties starting at 5PM MST, and the north central counties starting at midnight CST. These areas have a chance to see 6+ inches of snow. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. The winter storm will continue through the afternoon Friday. Patchy blowing snow is expected to reduce visibilities tomorrow morning to under a mile in some spots (mainly north). .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight. && Get your weather, hydrological, and climate information at http://www.weather.gov/northplatte
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
8 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
A Cooperative Observer located 6 miles north of Gordon measured 8 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts from 6 to 10 inches occurred across the northern half of Sheridan County. Winds were easterly at 10 to 15 mph, which limited blowing and drifting.
A Cooperative Observer located near Kilgore measured 8 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts from 8 to 10 inches occurred across the northern half of western Cherry County. Winds were northeasterly at 10 to 15 mph, which limited blowing and drifting.
A trained spotter located near Valentine measured 11.5 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts from 8 to 12 inches occurred across the northern half of eastern Cherry County. Winds were northeasterly at 10 to 15 mph, which limited blowing and drifting.
A Cooperative Observer in Springview measured 6 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts around 6 to 8 inches occurred across Keya Paha County. Winds were northeasterly at 10 to 15 mph, which limited blowing and drifting.
General Public near Johnstown measured 6 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts around 6 to 8 inches occurred across the northern half of Brown County. Winds were northeasterly at 10 to 15 mph, which limited blowing and drifting.
General Public in Newport measured 6 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts from 6 to 7 inches occurred across the northern half of Rock County. Winds were northeasterly at 10 to 15 mph, which limited blowing and drifting.
A Cooperative Observer located 3 miles southwest of Atkinson measured 6 inches of snowfall. Also, a CoCoRaHS observer located 21 miles north of O'Neill measured 10 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts from 6 to 10 inches occurred across the northern half of Holt County. Winds were northeasterly at 15 to 25 mph, which caused minor blowing and drifting.
A Cooperative Observer located in Butte measured 6 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts from 6 to 9 inches occurred across Boyd County. Winds were northeasterly at 15 to 25 mph, which caused minor blowing and drifting.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, December 2021
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: 989468, 989469, 989470, 989471, 989472, 989473, 989474, 989475.