The evening of 8 January to the late morning of 9 January, a strong low pressure system pushed through central, south central and southeast Kansas. Rainfall overspread the region which eventually changed over to snow.
Every event with a place to put it; 20 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 ICT wrote it up.
The evening of 8 January to the late morning of 9 January, a strong low pressure system pushed through central, south central and southeast Kansas. Rainfall overspread the region which eventually changed over to snow. Winter storm warnings were issued for much of central Kansas with winter weather advisories for south central and southeast Kansas. Much of south central Kansas was later upgraded to a warning. Many areas of central and south central Kansas experienced heavy snow with very limited visibility during the early morning hours of 9 January given strong winds at the same time. Snowfall amounts of 5 inches to 12 inches of snow were reported in the Winter Storm Warning area. Southeast Kansas and far south central Kansas experienced snowfall amounts of 0.1 inches to 2.5 inches. There were numerous accidents that occurred during the time of this event primarily in south central and southeast Kansas as well as along the I-70 corridor. Almost all roads were closed across the western half of Kansas by Monday evening, including I-70 west of Salina to the Colorado border. Kansas Highway Patrol responded to nearly 100 calls from motorists during the storm. Strong winds and heavy snow also caused numerous power outages across the region. With the exception of far southeast Kansas, most schools across Kansas cancelled classes, many for a few days.
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 Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 8, 6:07 AM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 607 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Rain with embedded thunderstorms possible today in South Central Kansas with a rain and snow mix along the I-70 corridor - Rain changing to snow overnight, windy with dangerous travel conditions Tuesday morning likely, especially along I-70 - Snow ending Tuesday afternoon and evening, continued windy with blowing snow reducing visibilities - Much colder, arctic type air, arriving Friday and into the weekend, light snow is also possible && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 230 PM CST Sun Jan 7 2024 A strong and very dynamic storm system, currently over the Four Corners region, is beginning to move east. This system will over spread the CWA today and bring some good shower activity to the region. Rainfall amounts of about a half inch or more are possible with some areas receiving as much as an inch in total. Some of the precipitation is likely to occur as snow later tonight and into Tuesday. Instability is weak but there does appear to be enough instability to permit some embedded thunderstorms during the mid to late morning. Nearly all the short term ensembles indicate this system will be rather progressive so the chances of excessive rain and wide spread flooding is unlikely. That said, soil conditions are completely saturated and can't take much more water. Combine this fact with this potential rain rates for this morning look to be high enough to create some localized flooding in the normal areas that frequently flood (low water crossings). Further north, along the I-70 corridor, temperatures will be cold enough to support snow creating some hazardous conditions during the morning. This snowfall will be fairly short lived as the isentropic lift will move off to the northeast by late morning. This will allow warmer low level temperatures to advect into the area changing the snow over to rain. By the afternoon, this storm system will continue to move to the east and northeast. Additionally, all the short term ensembles show a strong 700mb dry tongue coming into the region. This will serve to push the main area of rain out of the region and give a short 3-6 hour reprieve from consistent precipitation. At this time, the colder air will be pushing into the region ahead of the next push of moisture. By the late afternoon and into the evening, all areas will likely be cold enough for snowfall as the deformation zone approaches the CWA. Northerly winds will also be rather strong in the 15 to 25 mph range with gusts up to 40 mph at times. Once the snow starts to fall, the wind will drive the visibilities down and create blowing and drifting snow across the most of the CWA. Areas along the I-70 corridor are likely to see the highest snowfall amounts and could reach 5-6 inches in places. Further south, the deformation zone will not be as strong and as such, will not produce this level of snow. Accumulating snow is expected as far south as US-54/400 with some areas this far south seeing up to three inches. The areas along the Oklahoma state line are likely to see an inch or less of snow. Again, visibility is expected to be the main issue with winds blowing the snow creating hazardous travel conditions. By Tuesday afternoon, the snowfall will begin to abate with improving conditions expected throughout the CWA but blowing snow is still a strong possibility. During the overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday, the winds will let up and the blowing snow will cease. Temperatures will remain near normal Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the next system. By Friday, the weather starts to get interesting again. Long range ensembles are indicating the potential for more snow but there is very little agreement on the timing, intensity and amounts at this point. As such, confidence in precipitation beyond Thursday is very low. On the other hand, confidence in growing on temperatures for weekend. The extended range ensembles are indicating a very strong cold airmass coming into the region. This airmass appears to be arctic in nature and will likely pull temperatures well below normal. There are indications these temperatures could fall below zero at night this coming weekend. Will need to see further forecast cycles before this outlook can become more clear. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 606 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024 Aviation concerns will be rain/snow associated with potent weather system along with low cigs. Showers and isolated storms developed a few hours ago as 850-700mb theta-e advection ramped up with the upper low still back over extreme northeast NM. Showers and iso storms should continue this morning and into the early afternoon hours before a mid level dry slot moves in. A rain-snow mix will be possible at mainly KRSL-KGBD this morning as low levels cool through wetbulb processes. Still looking like the more significant snow potential will arrive this afternoon first affecting KRSL-KGBD with the band of snow working east this evening, moving into KHUT-KSLN area in the 23-03z time frame and KICT around 06z. Feel confident that KRSL-KGBD-KSLN will see the lowest visibilities with the snow with below a mile possible. Strong northwest winds will accompany the snow potential this evening as the system departs to the east with gusts 40-45 mph possible. MVFR cigs are likely this morning and will go to IFR for locations along and west of I-135 by around 15-17z with some pockets of LIFR possible by late this afternoon. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 9 AM this morning to noon CST Tuesday for KSZ032-033-047>049. Winter Weather Advisory from 9 AM this morning to noon CST Tuesday for KSZ050>053. Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to noon CST Tuesday for KSZ067>072-082-083-094>096. && DISCUSSION...ELM AVIATION...RBL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 345 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-090945- Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase- Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper- Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette- 345 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Light rain with some embedded thunderstorms will be possible in areas of South Central Kansas this morning. Rain and snow will mix this morning along the Interstate 70 corridor this morning before changing to rain during the afternoon. Rain will change over to all snow during the late afternoon and into the evening. Areas along and north of U.S. Highway 54 will likely see persistent blowing and drifting snow during the night. This will reduce visibilities and create hazardous driving conditions. Areas to the south of U.S. Highway 54 are less likely to see the higher snowfall amounts but still could have periods of reduced visibilities in light snow. Northerly winds are expected to be strong with gusts up to 50 to 55 mph possible during the night. See the latest winter storm warning and winter weather advisory for more details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Tuesday, snow and blowing snow will be coming to an end from west to east. Most areas will see an end to the blowing snow by mid to late afternoon. Winds will also abate during this time. Another storm system could impact the area with accumulating snow late Thursday into Friday. A surge of arctic air will accompany this storm system with below zero wind chills likely on Thursday night through Saturday with many areas seeing 10 to 20 below wind chills. Continue to check back for further updates on this active winter weather pattern. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated today or tonight. && For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: https://weather.gov/crh/ghwo?sid=ict
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
13 winter storm, 7 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
At 827AM 9 January, county fire department reported 8.5 inches of snow in Russell. Total snowfall amounts of 9 to 6 inches were reported across the county.
At 11PM on 8 January, broadcast radio media reported 7 inches of snow in McPherson. Snowfall totals of 12 to 4 inches were reported across the county. The highest amount was in McPherson.
Total snowfall amounts of 4.7 inches to 1 inch were reported across the county.
At 7 AM on 9 January, a CoCoRAHs observer reported 5 inches of snow one mile east of Wilson. Snowfall amounts of 7 to 4 inches were reported across the county.
At 8AM on 9 January a COOP observer reported 6 inches of snow in Cottonwood Falls. This is the only amount reported for this county and is considered the snow total.
At 7AM on 9 January a COOP Observer reported 1.5 inches of snow in Moran. Snowfall amounts of 1.5 to 0.1 inches of snow were reported across the county.
At 1203AM on 9 January, the emergency manager reported 6.5 inches of snow in Marion. Snow totals across the county ranged from 10 inches to 7 by the end of the event. The highest amount was in Goessel.
At 0700AM 9 January, a COOP observer reported 5 inches of snow in Lincoln. Snowfall amounts of 6 to 4 inches for snow totals were reported across the county.
At 1019PM on 8 January, the public reported 6.8 inches of snow in Salina. Snowfall totals of 6.8 to 4.2 inches were reported across the county.
At 822PM on 8 January, the public reported 7 inches of snow in Claflin. Snowfall amounts of 7 to 4 inches for snow totals were reported across the county.
At 7AM on 9 January, a COOP observer reported 11 inches of snow in Sterling. Snowfall totals of 12 to 9 inches were reported across the county.
At 7AM on 9 January, a COOP observer reported 1.7 inches of snow in Anthony. Snowfall amounts of 1.7 to 0.2 inches of snow were reported across the county.
At 1226PM, the public reported 2 inches of snow in Eureka. Snowfall totals of 3 to 1 inch of snow were reported across the county.
At 6AM on 9 January, a COOP observer reported 1 inch of snow in Arkansas City. Snowfall amounts of 1.5 to 0.6 inches of snow were reported across the county.
At 7AM on 9 January, a COOP observer reported 2 inches of snow in Caldwell. Snowfall amounts of 2.5 to 0.5 inches were reported across the county.
At 1001 PM on 8 January, the public reported 6 inches of snow three miles west of Hutchinson. Snowfall totals of 7.8 to 5 inches were reported across the county.
At 7AM on 9 January, a COOP observer reported 7.5 inches of snow five miles northwest of Halstead. Snowfall totals of 7.5 to 6 inches were reported across the county.
At 7AM on 9 January, a COOP observer reported 5.7 inches of snow four miles northwest of Zenda. Snowfall totals of 5.7 to 2.5 inches were reported across the county.
At 7AM on 9 January, a COOP observer reported 5 inches of snow in Mount Hope Kansas. Snowfall amounts of 5 to 1.7 inches were reported across the county. There were several vehicular accidents during the snow. Some injuries occurred due to these vehicular accidents and individuals falling on ice.
At 8AM on 9 January, a COOP observer one mile northeast of Galesburg reported 1 inch of snow. No other reports of snow were obtained.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, January 2024
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: 1157488, 1157494, 1158622, 1157491, 1157487, 1157504, 1157486, 1157489, 1157492, 1157490, 1157493, 1157510, 1157499, 1157512, 1157517, 1157495, 1157496, 1157497, 1157498, 1157507.