Nebraska, 2024

Blizzard in Nebraska, April 6 to 7, 2024

April 6 to 7, 2024 · NWS CYS · 5 events in 5 counties and zones

Blizzard conditions were observed across the southern Nebraska Panhandle the evening of 6 April through the morning of 7 April. Widespread power outages from blown down and ice ladened power lines reported across the southern Nebraska Panhandle with over 2000 power poles blown down.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 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
$7.5 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

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 CYS wrote it up.

Blizzard conditions were observed across the southern Nebraska Panhandle the evening of 6 April through the morning of 7 April. Widespread power outages from blown down and ice ladened power lines reported across the southern Nebraska Panhandle with over 2000 power poles blown down. Emergency Managers reported blizzard conditions during the event. Total estimated cost of the combination of strong winds and blizzard conditions was 7.6 million dollars.

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 Cheyenne, WY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 6, 3:34 PM MST, 51 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Thunderstorms possible this afternoon and evening across far eastern Wyoming and mainly the western Nebraska Panhandle. Although severe storms are not expected at this time, some of these storms may become strong and contain small hail and very gusty winds.
  • Very strong winds expected across southeast Wyoming and the central and southern Nebraska Panhandle. Gusts up to 85+ MPH are possible.
  • Increasing confidence of a significant winter storm with periods of blizzard conditions late Saturday night through early Monday morning for the Pine Ridge, including US Highway 20.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 6, 3:34 PM MST, 51 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
434 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Thunderstorms possible this afternoon and evening across far
  eastern Wyoming and mainly the western Nebraska Panhandle.
  Although severe storms are not expected at this time, some of
  these storms may become strong and contain small hail and very
  gusty winds.

- Very strong winds expected across southeast Wyoming and the
  central and southern Nebraska Panhandle. Gusts up to 85+ MPH
  are possible.

- Increasing confidence of a significant winter storm with
  periods of blizzard conditions late Saturday night through
  early Monday morning for the Pine Ridge, including US Highway
  20.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 500 AM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

Complex wind and winter storm has begun to impact the region
this region. Latest VIS satellite shows a closed low located
near Sidney with the warm front quickly racing off to the north
with a strong front pushing east through the region. Modest CAA
has filtered in behind this boundary which has dropped
temperatures from the 60s to the upper 30s across the Nebraska
Panhandle and locations across the North Platte River Valley.
This closed low will continue to deepen and slow push off to the
north and east through the rest of the day.

Wind: High to extreme winds have materialized across the region
this afternoon, Numerous sites from the I-80 Summit into
Cheyenne have gusted between 70-75 mph. Remount reported a gust
of 80 mph! Winds are expected to increase through the afternoon
and into the evening as the stinger jet maximizes over the
region and downward omega values increase along the south
Laramie Range and overspread into the Nebraska Panhandle. Model
700mb winds for a 9hr period beginning tonight through tomorrow
morning across much of SE Wyoming are in the 80-85 knot range.
This window will when wind gusts could exceed 80 mph with
sustained winds around 60 mph, this long duration wind event
could turn damaging across the region this evening. Areas that
see snowfall will easily see temporarily blizzard conditions.

Snow: Overall the snow forecast for Converse, Niobrara and the
Pine Ridge region remains on track and this is where we have the
highest confidence for snow amount with significant overrunning
and deep moisture profiles expected. The bulk of the heaviest
snow will occur tonight with period of very heavy snow where
rates could approach 3"/hr at times. High confidence areas from
Manville, Lusk and Harrison could see up to 2 feet of heavy, wet
snow that could bring down trees and powerlines across these
areas. Still watching the favorable upslope regions across the
Pine Ridge for some significant accumulations of snowfall
expected. HI-RES models continue to show a bullseye of snow
across southern Banner counties near Harrisburg this has
remained pretty consistent from run to run and this area is now
in a Winter Storm Watch. The highest degree of difficulty and
discrepancy is for areas along the North Platte River Valley.
Models continue to show high QPF amounts between 1.25" and 1.40"
across these areas but the biggest question is P-type and how
low the snow levels will get. Ensemble members have shifted
toward greater CAA and more snow accumulation for Torrington and
Scottsbluff with ensemble members showing anywhere between 8-10"
of snow and with wind gusts expected to be around 70 mph rapid
blizzard conditions will develop. But if snow levels remain high
enough and the precipitation holds on to a rain/snow mix then
snow accumulations will be significantly lower. With the
potential for significant snowfall accumulations and blizzard
conditions Scotts Bluff, Goshen and Banner counties where put
into a Winter Storm Watch.

This is a very dynamic system that will bring damaging winds,
significant accumulation of heavy, wet snow and periodic
blizzard conditions.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 245 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

Monday night/Tuesday...Drying out period in the wake of the upper
trough and with northwest flow aloft. Definitely warmer on Tuesday
with 700 mb temperatures near 1 Celsius, yielding high temperatures
mainly in the 50s, except 40s in snow covered areas of Converse and
Niobrara Counties.

Wednesday...Somewhat cooler and windy with brisk northwest flow
aloft and the passage of another cold front. With enough low and mid
level moisture, we expect a chance of rain and snow in the
afternoon, mainly over and near the mountains.

Thursday...Another warming trend expected as heights aloft rise on
northwest flow aloft. With limited low and mid level moisture, it
looks dry.

Friday...A decent warming trend is on tap as ridging aloft moves off
to our east and the flow aloft transitions from northwest to
southwest, helping to develop a surface lee trough. With 700 mb
temperatures near 7 Celsius, maximum temperatures will reach the 60s
to mid 70s.

Saturday...The next shortwave trough aloft and its associated cold
front will approach from western Wyoming, spreading a chance of
showers across our counties in the afternoon. Continued mild in the
airmass ahead of the approaching cold front.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 422 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

A strong upper level trough and its associated surface low will
slowly move into western Nebraska this evening, then to
northeast Nebraska Sunday morning.

Wyoming TAFS...Ceilings will range from 5000 to 10000 feet.
Winds will gust to 65 knots until 12Z Sunday, then to 50 knots
after 12Z Sunday.

Nebraska TAFS...At Chadron and Alliance, occasional light rain
will reduce visibilities to 4 miles until 02Z, with ceilings
near 2500 feet, then ceilings will be near 1500 feet with
visibilities 2 to 4 miles in rain, snow and fog until 15Z, then
visibilities will be near 3 miles in light snow and fog with
ceilings near 2500 feet.

At Scottsbluff and Sidney, ceilings will range from 700 to
3500 feet with visibilities from 1 to 4 miles in rain, snow and
fog until 12Z, then ceilings will vary from 4000 to 5000 feet.
Winds will gust to 58 knots. Low level wind shear will occur at
Scottsbluff from 03Z to 12Z.

&&

.CYS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WY...High Wind Warning until 3 PM MDT Sunday for WYZ106>108-110-
     115>119.
     Winter Storm Watch through late Sunday night for WYZ108.
     Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM MDT Monday for WYZ101>103.
NE...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Monday for NEZ002-003.
     High Wind Warning until 3 PM MDT Sunday for NEZ019>021-054-055.
     Winter Storm Watch through late Sunday night for NEZ019-020.
     Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM MDT Monday for NEZ095.
     Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM MDT Monday for NEZ096.

&&

SHORT TERM...TJT
LONG TERM...RUBIN
AVIATION...RUBIN
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 6, 1:39 PM MST, 2 hours 46 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
239 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

NEZ002-003-019>021-054-055-095-096-WYZ101>119-072045-
Dawes County-Box Butte County-Scotts Bluff County-Banner County-
Morrill County-Kimball County-Cheyenne County-
Northern Sioux County-Southern Sioux County-
Converse County Lower Elevations-Niobrara County-
North Laramie Range-Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains-
Shirley Basin-Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County-
East Platte County-Goshen County-Central Carbon County-
North Snowy Range Foothills-Southwest Carbon County-
Sierra Madre Range-Upper North Platte River Basin-Snowy Range-
Laramie Valley-South Laramie Range-South Laramie Range Foothills-
Central Laramie County-East Laramie County-
239 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of panhandle
Nebraska...east central Wyoming...south central Wyoming and
southeast Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY

Major wind and winter storm to impact the region. See current
weather highlights for the forecast area of interest or consult
the NWS Cheyenne webpage.

.Spotter information statement...

Spotters are urged to report strong wind gusts and snow
accumulation to the National Weather Service.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 6, 12:47 PM MST, 3 hours 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
147 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

NEZ019>021-055-062030-
Cheyenne NE-Scotts Bluff NE-Morrill NE-Banner NE-
147 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN SCOTTS BLUFF...
NORTHEASTERN CHEYENNE...MORRILL AND NORTHEASTERN BANNER COUNTIES
THROUGH 230 PM MDT...

At 147 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Lisco to near Dalton. Movement was
northwest at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Bridgeport, Bayard, Dalton, Gurley, Northport, Chimney Rock State
Park, Bridgeport State Recreation Area, The Intersection Of Highway
385 And 92, Court House And Jail Rocks, Redington, The Intersection
Of Highway 385 And L62, South Bayard Junction, Broadwater, and
McGrew.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4130 10308 4174 10343 4199 10268 4179 10268
      4174 10266 4174 10264 4142 10264 4139 10262
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 156DEG 30KT 4157 10258 4142 10308

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Woodward
Local storm report, Apr 6, 12:49 PM MST, 3 hours 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
149 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0142 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SW South Greeley High 41.05N 104.89W
04/06/2024  M63 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            WYO Hill WYDOT site. Sustained winds 52 mph.

0136 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 12 WSW Warren Af Base   41.10N 105.07W
04/06/2024  M62 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Otto WYDOT site. Sustained winds 44 mph.

0135 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Cheyenne           41.16N 104.81W
04/06/2024  M62 MPH          Laramie            WY   ASOS

            Cheyenne ASOS. Sustained winds 41 mph.

0134 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Whitaker          41.42N 104.87W
04/06/2024  M62 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Whitaker WYDOT site. Sustained winds 52 mph.

0132 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WNW Pumpkin Vine      41.05N 105.47W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Pumpkin Vine WYDOT site. Sustained winds 42
            mph.

0130 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 S Chugwater           41.65N 104.85W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Bear Creek WYDOT site. Sustained winds 41
            mph.

0127 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 WSW Warren Af Base   41.08N 105.04W
04/06/2024  M79 MPH          Laramie            WY   Mesonet

            EMKAY UPR site. Sustained winds 53 mph.

0124 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Buford            41.12N 105.34W
04/06/2024  M74 MPH          Albany             WY   Mesonet

            SHERWS UPR site. Sustained winds 53 mph.

0122 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ENE Buford            41.12N 105.28W
04/06/2024  M65 MPH          Albany             WY   Public

            Buford East WYDOT site. Sustained winds 48
            mph.

0120 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 NW Elk Mountain       41.75N 106.51W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Halleck Ridge WYDOT site. Sustained winds 44
            mph.

0120 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Vedauwoo          41.16N 105.40W
04/06/2024  M69 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Vedauwoo WYDOT site. Sustained winds 46 mph.

0118 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 E Buford              41.10N 105.21W
04/06/2024  M70 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Remount WYDOT site. Sustained winds 49 mph.

0118 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Buford            41.13N 105.34W
04/06/2024  M65 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Lone Tree WYDOT site. Sustained winds 44
            mph.

0116 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 ESE Buford            41.04N 105.15W
04/06/2024  M71 MPH          Laramie            WY   Mesonet

            LYNCH UPR site.

0116 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NW Arlington          41.62N 106.24W
04/06/2024  M68 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Foote Creek WYDOT site. Sustained winds 43
            mph.

0116 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 ESE Arlington         41.55N 106.09W
04/06/2024  M63 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Cooper Cove WYDOT site. Sustained winds 37
            mph.

0112 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Bordeaux          41.93N 104.94W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Platte             WY   Dept of Highways

            Bordeaux WYDOT site. Sustained winds 43mph.

0112 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 E Arlington           41.59N 106.18W
04/06/2024  M65 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Arlington East WYDOT site. Sustained winds
            42 mph.

0112 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Arlington         41.60N 106.22W
04/06/2024  M62 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Arlington WYDOT site. Sustained winds 48
            mph.

0111 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NE Pumpkin Vine       41.08N 105.42W
04/06/2024  M66 MPH          Albany             WY   Mesonet

            Dale UPR site. Gusts 70 mph at 1250 PM.

1246 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Sidney            41.10N 102.99W
04/06/2024  M63 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   ASOS

            Sidney ASOS. Sustained winds 39 mph.

1223 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Lorenzo            41.05N 103.07W
04/06/2024  M64 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   Mesonet

            FW8155 Sidney CWOP site. Sustained winds 30
            mph.

&&
Special weather statement, Apr 6, 1:26 PM MST, 2 hours 59 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
226 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

NEZ003-019-021-062115-
Scotts Bluff NE-Box Butte NE-Morrill NE-
226 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN BOX BUTTE...
NORTHEASTERN SCOTTS BLUFF AND MORRILL COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM MDT...

At 226 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms capable of producing a landspout 8 miles southeast of
Angora, or 21 miles south of Alliance, moving northwest at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Landspouts, wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph, and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
         could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
         objects.

Locations impacted include...
Alliance, Bridgeport, Bayard, Lake Minatare Campground, Alliance
Airport, Northport, Bridgeport State Recreation Area, Angora, Court
House And Jail Rocks, Moomaws Corner, Lake Minatare, The Intersection
Of Highway 385 And L62, and South Bayard Junction.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4155 10319 4195 10354 4224 10275 4210 10274
      4209 10271 4201 10270 4200 10268 4198 10267
      4176 10267 4174 10264 4172 10264
TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 128DEG 35KT 4180 10297

LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Wills
Local storm report, Apr 6, 1:54 PM MST, 2 hours 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
254 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0246 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Gun Barrel              41.44N 104.34W
04/06/2024  M64 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Gun Barrel WYDOT site. Sustained winds 45
            mph.

0246 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 S Chugwater           41.65N 104.85W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Bear Creek WYDOT site. Sustained winds 38
            mph.

0242 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 12 S Federal            41.10N 105.07W
04/06/2024  M70 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Otto WYDOT site. Sustained winds 55 mph.

0242 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SW South Greeley High 41.05N 104.89W
04/06/2024  M63 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Wyo Hill WYDOT site. Sustained winds 34 mph.

0236 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 SW Federal            41.19N 105.20W
04/06/2024  M69 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Wildcat Trail WYDOT site. Sustained winds 37
            mph.

0236 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Vedauwoo            41.16N 105.40W
04/06/2024  M65 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Vedauwoo WYDOT site. Sustained winds 44 mph.

0232 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 E Buford              41.10N 105.21W
04/06/2024  M73 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Remount WYDOT site. Sustained winds 53 mph.

0232 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ENE Buford            41.12N 105.28W
04/06/2024  M68 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Buford East WYDOT site. Sustained winds 46
            mph.

0226 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 13 NE Centennial        41.44N 105.96W
04/06/2024  M62 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Quealy Dome WYDOT site. Sustained winds 42
            mph.

0226 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 11 SE Arlington         41.50N 106.05W
04/06/2024  M67 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Strouss Hill WYDOT site. Sustained winds 40
            mph.

0226 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NW Arlington          41.62N 106.24W
04/06/2024  M67 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Foote Creek WYDOT site. Sustained winds 43
            mph.

0224 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 WSW Warren Af Base   41.08N 105.04W
04/06/2024  M80 MPH          Laramie            WY   Mesonet

            EMKAY UPR site. Sustained winds 58 mph.

0223 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 SW Warren Af Base     41.09N 104.98W
04/06/2024  M76 MPH          Laramie            WY   Mesonet

            BORIE1 UPR site. Sustained winds 52 mph.

0222 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 ESE Arlington         41.55N 106.09W
04/06/2024  M64 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Cooper Cove WYDOT site. Sustained winds 40
            mph.

0222 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 E Arlington           41.59N 106.18W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Arlington WYDOT site. Sustained winds 34
            mph.

0221 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Buford            41.12N 105.34W
04/06/2024  M64 MPH          Albany             WY   Mesonet

            BUFORW UPR site. Sustained winds 50 mph.

0216 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Bordeaux          41.93N 104.94W
04/06/2024  M71 MPH          Platte             WY   Dept of Highways

            Bordeaux WYDOT site. Sustained winds 54 mph.

0210 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Sidney            41.10N 102.99W
04/06/2024  M58 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   ASOS

            Sidney ASOS. Sustained winds 46 mph.

0209 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Cheyenne           41.16N 104.81W
04/06/2024  M68 MPH          Laramie            WY   ASOS

            Cheyenne ASOS. Sustained winds 37 mph.

0202 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 WNW Lorenzo           41.07N 103.16W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   Mesonet

            FW8225 Sidney CWOP site. Sustained winds 35
            mph.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 6, 2:41 PM MST, 1 hour 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
341 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0332 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Gun Barrel              41.44N 104.34W
04/06/2024  M67 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Gun Barrel WYDOT site. Sustained winds 53
            mph.

0332 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSW Warren Af Base    41.13N 104.87W
04/06/2024  M61 MPH          Laramie            WY   Public

            Warren Air Force Base. Sustained winds 47
            mph.

0330 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 S Chugwater           41.65N 104.85W
04/06/2024  M67 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Bear Creek WYDOT site. Sustained winds 44
            mph.

0330 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Whitaker          41.42N 104.88W
04/06/2024  M75 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Whitaker WYDOT site. Sustained winds 50 mph.

0326 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 WSW Warren Af Base    41.11N 104.98W
04/06/2024  M70 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            MP 353 WYDOT site. Sustained winds 57 mph.

0325 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ESE Torrington        42.06N 104.16W
04/06/2024  M58 MPH          Goshen             WY   ASOS

            Torrington ASOS. Sustained winds 37 mph.

0322 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 SW Federal            41.19N 105.20W
04/06/2024  M73 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Wildcat Trail WYDOT site. Sustained winds 53
            mph.

0318 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Buford            41.13N 105.34W
04/06/2024  M71 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Lone Tree WYDOT site. Sustained winds 45
            mph.

0315 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 WSW Pine Bluffs       41.15N 104.13W
04/06/2024  M59 MPH          Laramie            WY   AWOS

            Pine Bluffs AWOS. Sustained winds 47 mph.

0314 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ENE Buford            41.12N 105.28W
04/06/2024  M72 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Buford East WYDOT site. Sustained winds 53
            mph.

0310 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 13 ENE Gurley           41.36N 102.74W
04/06/2024  M61 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   Mesonet

            GW1811 Gurley CWOP site. Sustained winds 42
            mph.

0308 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Bordeaux          41.93N 104.94W
04/06/2024  M70 MPH          Platte             WY   Dept of Highways

            Bordeaux WYDOT site. Sustained winds 39 mph.

0255 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 WSW Warren Af Base   41.08N 105.04W
04/06/2024  M91 MPH          Laramie            WY   Public

            EMKAY UPR site. Sustained winds 62 mph.

0255 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 E Gurley              41.32N 102.83W
04/06/2024  E61 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   Mesonet

            Hotel site. Sustained winds 50 mph.

0254 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 E Dix                 41.24N 103.47W
04/06/2024  M61 MPH          Kimball            NE   Mesonet

            Dix2 UPR site. Sustained winds 45 mph.

0253 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Sidney            41.10N 102.99W
04/06/2024  M74 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   ASOS

            Sidney ASOS. Sustained winds 50 mph.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 6, 3:56 PM MST, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
456 PM MDT Sat Apr 6 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0452 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Gun Barrel              41.44N 104.35W
04/06/2024  M77 MPH          Laramie            WY   Public

            Gun Barrel WYDOT site. Sustained winds 56
            mph.

0446 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 WSW Hillsdale         41.16N 104.61W
04/06/2024  M66 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Cheyenne East WYDOT site. Sustained winds 43
            mph.

0444 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 S Chugwater           41.65N 104.85W
04/06/2024  M67 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Bear Creek WYDOT site. Sustained winds 49
            mph.

0438 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Whitaker          41.42N 104.88W
04/06/2024  M72 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Whitaker WYDOT site. Sustained winds 58 mph.

0438 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 E Buford              41.10N 105.21W
04/06/2024  M75 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Remount WYDOT site. Sustained winds 55 mph.

0436 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 SW Federal            41.20N 105.20W
04/06/2024  M65 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            Wildcat Trail WYDOT site. Sustained winds 44
            mph.

0436 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Vedauwoo          41.16N 105.40W
04/06/2024  M72 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Vedauwoo WYDOT site. Sustained winds 47 mph.

0435 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 WSW Pine Bluffs       41.15N 104.13W
04/06/2024  M68 MPH          Laramie            WY   AWOS

            Pine Bluffs AWOS site. Sustained winds 53
            mph.

0434 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 WSW Warren Af Base   41.08N 105.04W
04/06/2024  M86 MPH          Laramie            WY   Mesonet

            Emkay UPR site. Sustained winds 62 mph.

0432 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 WSW Warren Af Base    41.11N 104.98W
04/06/2024  M77 MPH          Laramie            WY   Dept of Highways

            MP353 WYDOT site. Sustained winds 62 mph.

0431 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 ENE Woods Landing     41.17N 105.86W
04/06/2024  M58 MPH          Albany             WY   Mesonet

            FW4449 Laramie CWOP site. Sustained winds 39
            mph.

0430 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ENE Buford            41.12N 105.28W
04/06/2024  M73 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Buford East WYDOT site. Sustained winds 49
            mph.

0428 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Buford            41.13N 105.34W
04/06/2024  M70 MPH          Albany             WY   Dept of Highways

            Lone Tree WYDOT site. Sustained winds 48
            mph.

0425 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S South Greeley High  41.07N 104.81W
04/06/2024  M86 MPH          Laramie            WY   Mesonet

            EW^&$% Cheyenne CWOP site. Sustained winds
            43 mph.

0424 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 NW Elk Mountain       41.75N 106.51W
04/06/2024  M63 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Halleck Ridge WYDOT site. Sustained winds 45
            mph.

0424 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NW Arlington          41.62N 106.24W
04/06/2024  M64 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Foote Creek WYDOT site. Sustained winds 41
            mph.

0418 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Arlington         41.60N 106.22W
04/06/2024  M63 MPH          Carbon             WY   Dept of Highways

            Arlington WYDOT site. Sustained winds 50
            mph.

0416 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Buford            41.12N 105.34W
04/06/2024  M76 MPH          Albany             WY   Mesonet

            BUFORW UPR site. Sustained winds 67 mph.

0414 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Bordeaux          41.93N 104.94W
04/06/2024  M63 MPH          Platte             WY   Dept of Highways

            Bordeaux WYDOT site. Sustained winds 38 mph.

0402 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WNW Brownson          41.19N 103.13W
04/06/2024  M63 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   Mesonet

            Brown2 UPR site. Sustained winds 38 mph.

0401 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 ENE Hawk Springs      41.86N 104.12W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Goshen             WY   Mesonet

            Casper Portable RAWS site. Sustained 36 mph.

0355 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSW Warren Af Base    41.13N 104.87W
04/06/2024  M69 MPH          Laramie            WY   Other Federal

            Warren Air Force Base. Sustained winds 60
            mph.

0355 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 E Gurley              41.32N 102.83W
04/06/2024  M61 MPH          Cheyenne           NE   Public

            Hotel mesonet site. Sustained winds 50 mph.

0355 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 S Kimball             41.19N 103.67W
04/06/2024  M66 MPH          Kimball            NE   AWOS

            Kimball AWOS site. Sustained winds 50 mph.

0355 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 SSW Bushnell          41.12N 103.98W
04/06/2024  M60 MPH          Kimball            NE   Mesonet

            Echo mesonet site. Sustained winds 50 mph.

0355 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 NE Harrisburg         41.59N 103.67W
04/06/2024  M62 MPH          Banner             NE   Mesonet

            Charlie mesonet site. Sustained winds 52
            mph.

0345 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Federal           41.25N 105.09W
04/06/2024  M67 MPH          Laramie            WY   Public

&&

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Cheyenne

When
April 6, 4:25 PM MST to April 7, 9:00 AM MST
Where
Cheyenne forecast zone
Property damage
$1.5 million
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
41.220, -102.995 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

KNEB Station manager relayed report of 11 inches of snow in Potter along with widespread power outages across Cheyenne County. Snow ranged from 5 inches up to 11 inches. Before the Sidney ASOS lost power at the Sidney Airport, wind gusts were in excess of 65 mph with sustained winds in the mid to upper 40 mph range for over 4 hours.

Blizzard, Scotts Bluff

When
April 6, 6:50 PM MST to April 7, 8:40 AM MST
Where
Scotts Bluff forecast zone
Property damage
$1.5 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.851, -103.708 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Scotts Bluff Emergency Manager and KNEB station manager reported blizzard conditions in Scottsbluff for well over 3 hours. Snow ranged from 2 inches in Scottsbluff to 12 inches in the Wildcat Hills south of Scottsbluff. Wind gusts were in excess of 58 mph during this time as well. Widespread power outages were reported across Scotts Bluff County.

Blizzard, Banner

When
April 6, 6:50 PM MST to April 7, 6:55 AM MST
Where
Banner forecast zone
Property damage
$1.5 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.546, -103.710 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Scotts Bluff Emergency Manager and KNEB station manager reported blizzard conditions in Banner County for well over 3 hours. Widespread power outages reported across Banner County from power poles being blown down. Wind gusts were in excess of 50 mph during this time as well from the Charlie Mesonet site 5 miles northeast of Harrisburg.

Blizzard, Morrill

When
April 6, 6:50 PM MST to April 7, 8:40 AM MST
Where
Morrill forecast zone
Property damage
$1.5 million
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
41.716, -103.010 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

KNEB Station Manager reported widespread power outages across Morrill County from snow and strong winds. UPR site TOWER1 (UP417) located 6 miles east southeast of Bridgeport reported sustained winds greater than 35 mph from 6 April 23:59 to 7 April 5:28 AM MST.

Blizzard, Kimball

When
April 6, 9:35 PM MST to April 7, 7:35 AM MST
Where
Kimball forecast zone
Property damage
$1.5 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.198, -103.715 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Scotts Bluff Emergency Manager and KNEB station manager reported blizzard conditions in Kimball County for well over 3 hours. KNEB Station Manager reported Highway 71 closed between the town of Kimball and Gering due to blizzard conditions. Wind gusts were in excess of 50 mph on the Kimball AWOS with sustained winds of 35 mph or stronger during this time. Widespread power outages were reported across Kimball County.

What these are

Blizzard
Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Nebraska in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, April 2024

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: 1163257, 1163253, 1163254, 1163256, 1163255.