A winter storm moved into western and north central Nebraska during the early morning hours January 2nd and continued through the morning hours on January 3rd. The winter storm brought heavy snow to much of western and north central Nebraska, along with freezing rain during the early portions of the event across much of southwest, central, into eastern portions of north central Nebraska.
Every event with a place to put it; 27 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 moved into western and north central Nebraska during the early morning hours January 2nd and continued through the morning hours on January 3rd. The winter storm brought heavy snow to much of western and north central Nebraska, along with freezing rain during the early portions of the event across much of southwest, central, into eastern portions of north central Nebraska. Ice accumulations up to a quarter inch were measured. Heavy snow, with low visibility at times and snowfall amounts from 8 to 18 inches fell across much of the area, with the highest amounts reported in Custer County northward into north central Nebraska. Northerly winds increased to 20 to 35 mph during the later portion of the event, causing blowing and drifting.
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 Jan 1, 11:30 PM CST, 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service North Platte NE 1130 PM CST Sun Jan 1 2023 ...Aviation Update... .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 235 PM CST Sun Jan 1 2023 Key messages... - Heavy snow is likely from the panhandle and sandhills through northern Nebraska starting tonight. - Heavy mixed precipitation with potential for significant ice accumulations is expected further to the southeast especially Monday afternoon through Monday night. - Travel will become very dangerous and power outages are possible. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday) Issued at 422 PM CST Sun Jan 1 2023 Skies are cloudy across central and western Nebraska to start the new year with temperatures well into the 30s to around 40 degrees. However water vapor satellite imagery shows a potent upper low starting to push into the southwestern US, and this will be the driving force behind a significant winter storm across the Plains as a Colorado low develops and moves into Iowa by Tuesday. The first surge of precipitation supported by mid level FGEN forcing and mid level deformation will push into western Nebraska tonight. Expect an all/mostly snow scenario will become dominant mainly north of highway 2 with thermal profiles aloft generally remaining below freezing. Forcing wanes a bit early Monday but as the upper low approaches, enhanced divergence from a coupled upper jet will allow precipitation to bloom Monday afternoon through Monday night. However, thermal profiles become much more challenging from southwest through central Nebraska with a small warm nose around 850mb and a lack of glaciation in the column as some direr air moves in aloft. Further complicating ptype considerations will be dynamic cooling as a significant deformation zone on the northwest side of the surface low sliding by to our south pushes northward with significant lift stretching the air column late Monday/Monday night. Steep lapse rates aloft and conditional slantwise instability will even support some embedded convective elements with potential for thundersnow. And seeing the classic omega cross through the saturated dendritic growth zone in Bufkit soundings expect efficient dendrite/aggregate production will support periods of rapid snow accumulation. Expect the net result will see the heaviest precipitation falling from later Monday through Monday night with mostly snow to the northwest and a wintry mix further to the southeast with convectively enhanced precipitation rates occasionally supporting snow accumulations of 1 inch per hour or more. The heaviest period of precipitation will likely help support more frozen precipitation as snow, sleet, or perhaps even some snow pellets/graupel. And as the low slowly moves by to our south, the deformation zone over central Nebraska will pivot and allow for greater residence time with enhanced lift enhancing accumulations. On the warmer side of the best forcing, enhanced precipitation may yield significant accumulations of ice, especially from Frontier up through southern Holt counties. There are a lot of moving parts to this forecast so confidence in specific snow/ice accumulations is modest, but trends seem to support potential for this system to overperform with room at the top for higher accumulations. In anticipation of expected impacts from snow and a combination of snow and mixed precipitation/ice, have bumped the entire area into a Winter Storm Warning tonight through Tuesday morning. Wet snow sticking to trees and power lines will add to impacts from ice accumulation so power outages and trees damage will accompany very dangerous road conditions. Expect there may be some reduced visibility in blowing snow especially north and west where mixed precipitation will be minimized, but not until winds start to increase Monday night into Tuesday. And while winds will not be overly strong with gusts around 40 mph, trees and powerlines laden with ice and snow will be more susceptible to damage from the wind where freezing rain is more widespread from portions of southwest and central Nebraska. The system will be winding down on Tuesday but if precipitation lingers especially east of highway 83 an extension of the Warning may be needed through Tuesday afternoon. All precipitation is expected to be over by Tuesday night as the low moves off toward the Great Lakes. Temperatures will generally be in the 20s Sunday night through Monday during the height of precipitation but rise to around the freezing mark where mixed precipitation is expected. Temperatures then fall into the teens on Monday night with wind chills around zero, then rebound into the middle 20s/around 30 on Tuesday. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 422 PM CST Sun Jan 1 2023 Behind our departing winter storm, ensemble guidance is in good agreement in amplifying a ridge over the western US through Friday, followed by a minor disruption as a transient trof moves through the Rockies heading into the weekend. This will bring us dry conditions with a warming trend through the end of the week with possibly another chance for precipitation by Saturday. Temperatures will start the period quite chilly with highs on Wednesday ranging from the teens around the Niobrara valley to the lower 30s south of Interstate 80. However by Friday highs will range from the middle 30s north to middle 40s south. Lows will also trend up through the period from the single digits to the lower 20s. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Monday night) Issued at 1129 PM CST Sun Jan 1 2023 A winter storm will impact the area late tonight through Monday evening, with CIGs falling to widespread IFR/locally LIFR at KVTN by 12Z Monday and across the remainder of western Nebraska during the afternoon and evening. FZRA/SN will overspread KLBF Monday morning, with visibilities gradually falling into IFR/locally LIFR after 18Z. Winds increase to northeasterly Monday afternoon and evening, with gusts of 15 to 20 kts. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until noon CST /11 AM MST/ Tuesday for NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094. && SYNOPSIS...MBS SHORT TERM...MBS LONG TERM...MBS AVIATION...Roberg
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service North Platte NE 348 PM CST Sun Jan 1 2023 NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-022200- 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- 348 PM CST Sun Jan 1 2023 /248 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central Nebraska. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A winter storm will begin moving into the area late tonight, with precipitation spreading from west to east. Accumulating snow is expected to develop across the western Sandhills with a wintry mix possible across southwest Nebraska. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. The winter storm will continue Monday through Tuesday morning. Significant snowfall accumulations are possible across the eastern panhandle into the Sandhills and north central Nebraska. The greatest risk for ice accumulations will be across southwest into central Nebraska. A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for all of western and north central Nebraska. Hazardous travel conditions are expected to develop across much of western and north central Nebraska through Tuesday. Those with travel plans should monitor the forecast closely and be certain to check current road conditions. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
27 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
The official NWS observation at Valentine reported 14.5 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across eastern Cherry County ranged from 12 to 15 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. Most roads became closed during the event.
General public near Long Pine reported 15 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Brown County ranged from 12 to 15 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. A few roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
General public near Newport reported 16 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Rock County ranged from 12 to 16 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. A few roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
General public located 7 miles southwest of Springview reported 12.3 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Keya Paha County ranged around 12 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. A few roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
General public located 11 miles northeast of Stuart reported 18 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Holt County ranged from 12 to 18 inches across the northwest to 6 to 12 inches across the southeast. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. A few roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
A CoCoRaHS observer located 9 miles west southwest of Naper reported 14.6 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Boyd County ranged from 14 to 18 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. A few roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
Law enforcement in Thedford reported 18 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Thomas County ranged from 16 to 18 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. Most roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
General public located 5 miles southwest of Dunning reported 12 inches of snowfall. A light glaze of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. Total snowfall amounts across Blaine County ranged around 12 inches. North winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting. Most roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
The nearby Broken Bow ASOS recorded freezing rain during the afternoon and early evening hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times. Up to a tenth of an inch of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. Total snowfall amounts across Loup County ranged from 10 to 12 inches. North winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting. Most roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
The nearby Ord ASOS recorded freezing rain during the afternoon and evening hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times. Up to a tenth of an inch of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. Total snowfall amounts across Garfield County ranged from 7 to 9 inches. North winds gusting to 30 to 35 mph caused blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The nearby Ord ASOS recorded freezing rain during the afternoon and evening hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times. Up to a quarter inch of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. A Cooperative Observer 6 miles west of Ericson reported 7 inches. Total snowfall amounts across Wheeler County ranged from 6 to 8 inches. North winds gusting to 30 to 35 mph caused blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The Broken Bow ASOS recorded freezing rain during the afternoon and early evening hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times. Up to a quarter inch of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. General public located 5 miles west of Merna reported 15 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Custer County ranged from 8 to 15 inches. North winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting. Most roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
The North Platte ASOS recorded freezing rain during the afternoon and early evening hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. Up to a quarter inch of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. General public located in North Platte reported 8.5 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Lincoln County ranged from 7 to 9 inches. North winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The nearby North Platte ASOS recorded freezing rain during the afternoon and early evening hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. Up to a tenth of an inch of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. A Cooperative Observer located 5 miles west of Stapleton reported 8.3 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Logan County ranged from 8 to 10 inches. North winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting. Some roads became impassable and travel was not advised during the event.
The nearby North Platte ASOS recorded freezing rain during the afternoon and early evening hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. Up to a tenth of an inch of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. A CoCoRaHS observer located 8 miles north of Ringgold reported 10 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across McPherson County ranged around 10 inches. North winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting. Some roads became impassable and travel was not advised during the event.
The nearby Imperial ASOS recorded light freezing rain during the morning and afternoon hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. A light glaze of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. A Cooperative Observer located in Hayes Center reported 5.5 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Hayes County ranged from 5 to 8 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused some blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The nearby McCook ASOS recorded light freezing rain during the morning and afternoon hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. Up to a tenth of an inch of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. A CoCoRaHS observer located near Eustis reported 3.5 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Frontier County ranged from 3 to 6 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused some blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The Gordon AWOS reported heavy snow with visibility of a quarter mile during the morning hours on January 2nd. Total snowfall amounts across Sheridan County ranged from 6 to 9 inches.
General public reported 9 inches of snowfall 22 miles south southwest of Merritt Reservoir. Total snowfall amounts across western Cherry County ranged from 8 to 15 inches. Northwest wind gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. Most roads became closed during the event.
General public located 10 miles north northwest of Oshkosh reported 10.7 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Garden County ranged from 8 to 11 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. A few roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
A nearby general public located 16 miles southwest of Mullen reported 12 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Grant County ranged from 9 to 12 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. A few roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
General public located 16 miles southwest of Mullen reported 12 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Hooker County ranged from 11 to 13 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. A few roads became closed with travel not advised during the event.
A Cooperative Observer in Arthur reported 8 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Arthur County ranged from 8 to 10 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The Ogallala AWOS recorded light freezing rain during the afternoon hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. A light glaze of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. General public in Ogallala reported 9 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Keith County ranged around 9 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused some blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The nearby Ogallala AWOS recorded light freezing rain during the afternoon hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. A light glaze of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. Total snowfall amounts across Deuel County ranged from 8 to 10 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused some blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The nearby Ogallala AWOS recorded light freezing rain during the afternoon hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. A light glaze of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. A CoCoRaHS observer located 8 miles south southeast of Brandon reported 8 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Perkins County ranged around 8 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused some blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
The Imperial ASOS recorded light freezing rain during the morning and afternoon hours followed by snow during the overnight hours into the morning hours of January 3rd. Visibility was as low as a quarter mile at times during the early morning hours. A light glaze of ice from freezing rain preceded the snow. A CoCoRaHS observer located 8 miles west of Champion reported 8 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts across Chase County ranged from 7 to 8 inches. North winds gusting to 30 mph caused some blowing and drifting. Travel was not advised during the event.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, January 2023
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: 1069296, 1069299, 1069300, 1069301, 1069302, 1069303, 1069308, 1069313, 1069319, 1069321, 1069325, 1069332, 1069336, 1069337, 1069338, 1069367, 1069371, 1066805, 1069295, 1069305, 1069306, 1069307, 1069340, 1069344, 1069356, 1069361, 1069364.