Nebraska, 2023

Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 17 to 18, 2023

January 17 to 18, 2023 · NWS GLD · 3 events in 3 counties and zones

In the evening hours of January 17th, a low-pressure system from southeast Colorado traveled northeast across northwest Kansas and on into south central Nebraska. As this system trekked through the region, an initial snowfall occurred on the leading edge of the system dropping up to 5 inches of snow overnight on the 17th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 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
3

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 GLD wrote it up.

In the evening hours of January 17th, a low-pressure system from southeast Colorado traveled northeast across northwest Kansas and on into south central Nebraska. As this system trekked through the region, an initial snowfall occurred on the leading edge of the system dropping up to 5 inches of snow overnight on the 17th. During the day on the 18th, precipitation began to wrap around the system and create additional snowfall. In Red Willow county in Nebraska, 11 inches of snow was the maximum snowfall report from southwest Nebraska.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Dundy

When
January 17, 9:45 PM MST to January 18, 6:30 PM MST
Where
Dundy forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
40.176, -101.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An observer in the southwestern portion of Dundy county reported 9 inches of storm total snowfall on the morning of the 19th. Farther east in the county, snowfall totals were around 4 inches. Winds between McCook, Nebraska and Wray, Colorado were gusting over 25 mph for majority of the storm. These winds caused blowing snow that reduced visibility. The McCook ASOS reported visibilities down to 0.25 mile multiple times during the event and it is likely similar conditions were experienced in Dundy county. Key impacts: heavy snow, blowing snow, snow packed roads.

Winter Storm, Hitchcock

When
January 17, 11:00 PM CST to January 18, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Hitchcock forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.176, -101.042 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In the northeastern portion of the county, the public reported 8 inches of snow on the morning of the 19th as a storm total. Another report of 7.5 inches was recorded in the far southern portion of the county. Snowfalls tapered off in the western half of the county with totals around 3-4 inches. Winds between McCook, Nebraska and Wray, Colorado were gusting over 25 mph for majority of the storm. These winds caused blowing snow that reduced visibility. The McCook ASOS reported visibilities down to 0.25 mile multiple times during the event and it is likely similar conditions were experienced in Dundy county. Key impacts: heavy snow, blowing snow, snow packed roads.

Winter Storm, Red Willow

When
January 17, 11:00 PM CST to January 18, 5:30 PM CST
Where
Red Willow forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.176, -100.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In the northeastern corner of Red Willow county, the public reported 12 inches of snow on the morning of the 19th as a storm total. Another report of 11 inches was received from the west-central area of the county. Most of the county seems to have received over 6 inches of snow from the storm. Winds at the McCook, Nebraska ASOS occasionally gust to 30 mph and frequently over 25 mph during the storm. These winds caused blowing snow that reduced visibility. The McCook ASOS also reported visibilities down to 0.25 mile multiple times during the event. Key impacts: heavy snow, blowing snow, snow packed roads.

What these are

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

More

Every storm in Nebraska in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, January 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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1074294, 1074297, 1074299.