Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Kansas, November 25 to 26, 2023

Name: Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Kansas, November 25 to 26, 2023
Start: 2023-11-25T08:00
End: 2023-11-26T03:00
Location: Kansas

November 25 to 26, 2023 · NWS TOP · 40 events in 12 counties and zones

Snow spread from southwest to northeast across the state of Kansas. The snow began in central Kansas around 9am and persisted for 12 to 15 hours across much of the area.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 40 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 40

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 TOP wrote it up.

Snow spread from southwest to northeast across the state of Kansas. The snow began in central Kansas around 9am and persisted for 12 to 15 hours across much of the area. Many areas received 4-8 inches of snow with a few spots measuring more or less. Winds were generally 10 mph or less so impacts were limited to travel on roadways for the most part.

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 Topeka, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 24, 5:32 PM CST, 14 hours 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 24, 5:32 PM CST, 14 hours 28 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 24, 2:49 PM CST, 17 hours 11 minutes before

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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

38 heavy snow, 2 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Dickinson

When: November 25, 8:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Dickinson forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.867, -97.153 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter measured 8 inches of snow 1 mile west of Herington in southern Dickinson County. The heaviest snow occurred across the southern half of the county where generally 6 to 8 inches was measured.

Winter Storm, Dickinson

When: November 25, 8:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Dickinson forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.867, -97.153 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter measured 6.5 inches of snow in Chapman in Dickinson County.

Heavy Snow, Morris

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to November 26, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Morris forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.687, -96.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A spotter measured 6.8 inches of snow in Dwight in Morris County.

Heavy Snow, Morris

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to November 26, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Morris forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.687, -96.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Public report of 8 inches measured 1 mile south of Wilsey in Morris county.

Heavy Snow, Morris

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to November 26, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Morris forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.687, -96.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported 10.5 inches of snow in Council Grove in Morris County.

Heavy Snow, Geary

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Geary forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.002, -96.752 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A public report measured 6.6 inches 2 miles northwest of Junction City in Geary County.

Heavy Snow, Geary

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Geary forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.002, -96.752 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A public report of 6.5 inches of snow in Junction City in Morris County.

Heavy Snow, Geary

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Geary forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.002, -96.752 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Another public report of 6 inches of snow was measured 4 miles north of Grandview Plaza in Geary County.

Heavy Snow, Riley

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Riley forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.297, -96.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Emergency Management measured 6.8 inches of snow 3 miles northwest of Manhattan.

Heavy Snow, Riley

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Riley forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.297, -96.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Emergency Management measured 6.8 inches of snow 3 miles northwest of Manhattan.

Heavy Snow, Riley

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Riley forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.297, -96.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported 6 inches of snow measured on the west side of the city of Manhattan.

Heavy Snow, Riley

When: November 25, 9:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Riley forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.297, -96.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported 5 inches of snow measured in Leonardville in northern Riley county.

Heavy Snow, Pottawatomie

When: November 25, 10:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Pottawatomie forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.379, -96.342 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported 5.3 inches of snow measured 2 miles northwest of Onaga in Pottawatomie County.

Heavy Snow, Pottawatomie

When: November 25, 10:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Pottawatomie forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.379, -96.342 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported 5.0 inches of snow measured in Wamego.

Heavy Snow, Pottawatomie

When: November 25, 10:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Pottawatomie forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.379, -96.342 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public measured 5.6 inches of snow in Westmoreland.

Heavy Snow, Wabaunsee

When: November 25, 11:00 AM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Wabaunsee forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.953, -96.205 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter measured 7.0 inches of snow 2 miles northwest of Dover.

Heavy Snow, Wabaunsee

When: November 25, 11:00 AM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Wabaunsee forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.953, -96.205 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter measured 6.5 inches of snow 6 miles southeast of Saint George in northwest Wabaunsee County.

Heavy Snow, Wabaunsee

When: November 25, 11:00 AM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Wabaunsee forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.953, -96.205 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Member of the public reported 5.6 inches of snow measured 2 miles south of Belvue.

Heavy Snow, Wabaunsee

When: November 25, 11:00 AM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Wabaunsee forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.953, -96.205 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Member of the public reported 5.6 inches of snow measured 2 miles south of Belvue.

Heavy Snow, Shawnee

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Shawnee forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 39.042, -95.756 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

NWS Topeka measured 7.2 inches of snow from this event.

Heavy Snow, Shawnee

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Shawnee forecast zone
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.042, -95.756 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

KSNT meteorologist measured 7.0 inches at his home on the west side of Topeka.

Heavy Snow, Shawnee

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Shawnee forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.042, -95.756 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter measured 6.8 inches of snow in Willard.

Heavy Snow, Shawnee

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Shawnee forecast zone
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 39.042, -95.756 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

NWS employee measured 6.5 inches of snow 7 miles south southeast of Silver Lake which is on the west side of Topeka.

Heavy Snow, Shawnee

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Shawnee forecast zone
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 39.042, -95.756 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

NWS employee measured 6.5 inches of snow 7 miles south southeast of Silver Lake which is on the west side of Topeka.

Heavy Snow, Lyon

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lyon forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.456, -96.153 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported 9 inches of snow in Americus.

Heavy Snow, Lyon

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lyon forecast zone
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.456, -96.153 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Radio station KVOE measured 7.8 inches of snow in Emporia.

Heavy Snow, Lyon

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lyon forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.456, -96.153 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public measured 7.5 inches of snow 3 miles east of Emporia.

Heavy Snow, Lyon

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lyon forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.456, -96.153 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public measured 6.8 inches of snow in Neosho Rapids.

Heavy Snow, Lyon

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lyon forecast zone
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.456, -96.153 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Radio station KVOE relayed a report from the public of 6 inches of snow 5 miles northwest of Olpe.

Heavy Snow, Lyon

When: November 25, 12:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lyon forecast zone
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.456, -96.153 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Radio station KVOE relayed a report from the public of 6 inches of snow 5 miles northwest of Olpe.

Heavy Snow, Jackson

When: November 25, 1:00 PM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.417, -95.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter measured 5 inches of snow 5 miles east of Hoyt.

Heavy Snow, Jackson

When: November 25, 1:00 PM CST to November 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.417, -95.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter measured 5 inches of snow 6 miles southwest of Mayetta.

Heavy Snow, Jefferson

When: November 25, 1:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.236, -95.383 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Emergency Manager measured 5.5 inches of snow 5 miles southeast of Ozawkie.

Heavy Snow, Jefferson

When: November 25, 1:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.236, -95.383 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public measured 5.5 inches of snow 6 miles south of Oskaloosa.

Heavy Snow, Jefferson

When: November 25, 1:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.236, -95.383 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The EM also measured 5.0 inches of snow in Mclouth.

Heavy Snow, Douglas

When: November 25, 2:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.885, -95.293 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

COOP observer measured 6.0 inches of snow in Lecompton.

Heavy Snow, Douglas

When: November 25, 2:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 38.885, -95.293 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Off duty NWS employee measured 5.4 inches of snow 3 miles northwest of Lawrence.

Heavy Snow, Osage

When: November 25, 2:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Osage forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.652, -95.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Public measured 7.1 inches of snow in Carbondale.

Heavy Snow, Osage

When: November 25, 2:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Osage forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.652, -95.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Public measured 7.8 inches of snow in Burlingame.

Heavy Snow, Osage

When: November 25, 2:00 PM CST to November 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Osage forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.652, -95.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public measured 6.5 inches of snow 4 miles northeast of Lyndon.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, November 2023

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1141869, 1141870, 1141871, 1141872, 1141873, 1141874, 1141875, 1141876, 1141877, 1141878, 1141879, 1141880, 1141881, 1141882, 1141883, 1141886, 1141888, 1141889, 1141893, 1141918, 1141919, 1141920, 1141921, 1141922, 1141931, 1141932, 1141933, 1141934, 1141935, 1141936, 1141916, 1141917, 1141923, 1141924, 1141925, 1141926, 1141927, 1141928, 1141929, 1141930.