Nebraska, 2024

Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Nebraska, January 11 to 13, 2024

January 11 to 13, 2024 · NWS GID · 42 events in 24 counties and zones

An upper level trough moved from over the Rocky Mountains to the Central Plains to the Midwest. Shortwave troughs associated with the upper trough moved over Nebraska and Kansas.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 42 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
42

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 GID wrote it up.

An upper level trough moved from over the Rocky Mountains to the Central Plains to the Midwest. Shortwave troughs associated with the upper trough moved over Nebraska and Kansas. An Arctic cold front began moving across central and south central Nebraska during the early morning hours of January 11th. Snow started to develop and move across the area during the late morning and early afternoon hours of January 11th. The snow gradually ended from west to east beginning the morning of January 12th and continued into the afternoon hours.

An upper trough over Canada and Montana plunged southward and moved over the Central Plains by the morning of January 13th. This trough brought a reinforcing shot of colder air along with stronger northerly winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph which continued on through the day on the 13th. Additional lift from this upper trough resulted in light snow during the night of January 12th and into the morning of January 13th. This resulted in additional blowing and drifting snow, and hazardous travel due to near-blizzard conditions.

This heavy snow event resulted in widespread road closures and school/activity cancellations, and even several business closures. The heaviest snow affected areas mainly along/east of Highway 281 and along/north of Highway 6, where totals reached 6-12 inches in spots. Amounts tapered off to closer to an inch for areas further west and south. The brunt of accumulating snow fell from mid-late afternoon on the 11th through around midday on the 12th, with north-northwest winds gusting to around 30-35 MPH. Grand Island tied the liquid equivalent precipitation and snowfall records. Hastings set new records for liquid equivalent precipitation, snowfall, and cold high temperature.

Along with county and rural roads, Highways 281, 4, 136, 78, 28, and 9 were considered impassable or closed outright due to near-blizzard conditions. While Interstate 80 was not closed, travel was discouraged by officials. Multiple counties pulled their plows off the roads during the worst of the conditions due to safety concerns. Several rescues were done on the morning of the 13th due to people being trapped in vehicles out in open areas. Due to the cumulative impacts across central and eastern Nebraska from the winter storm on January 8-9th and this one, the Governor of Nebraska declared a state of emergency, and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate efforts. Over the week, Nebraska Department of Transportation put in at least 35,000 man-hours, and even received some support from South Dakota. The Nebraska State Patrol responded to more than 1,200 stranded vehicles between the two storms across the region, close to 100 crashes, and over 400 motorist assists. Bitterly cold air and continued gusty winds brought dangerous wind chill values of -30 to -45 to the entire region for several days following the departure of this storm system.

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 Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 11, 11:22 AM CST, 4 hours 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Our next winter storm brings accumulating snow and blowing snow to our entire coverage area (CWA) between later this afternoon through Friday morning, but it is increasingly- apparent that eastern areas will be harder hit than western areas (Winter Storm Warning several eastern counties...Winter Weather Advisory remains elsewhere).
  • Extremely high confidence in the arrival of our first "Arctic blast" of the season especially late tonight through next Tuesday morning, with truly dangerously cold temperatures and especially wind chills triggering Advisories/Warnings. The overall-worst cold is centered on this weekend.
  • While bitterly cold wind chills/temps are clearly the NUMBER ONE concern for Friday night onward, there are some additional, currently-low confidence chances for snow between Friday night-Sunday night. At this time, there is too much "model chaos" to pin down any potentially more organized chances with any degree of confidence, but at least for now, none appear significant.
  • Although not truly warm by ANY means, a gradual recovery out of the deep freeze is expected for Tues-Wed that at least gets us out of "Advisory/Warning- worthy" territory, with high temps expected to rebound into mainly the teens Tues/mainly 20s Wed.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 11, 11:22 AM CST, 4 hours 38 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1122 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Our next winter storm brings accumulating snow and blowing
  snow to our entire coverage area (CWA) between later this
  afternoon through Friday morning, but it is increasingly-
  apparent that eastern areas will be harder hit than western
  areas (Winter Storm Warning several eastern counties...Winter
  Weather Advisory remains elsewhere).

- Extremely high confidence in the arrival of our first "Arctic
  blast" of the season especially late tonight through next
  Tuesday morning, with truly dangerously cold temperatures and
  especially wind chills triggering Advisories/Warnings. The
  overall-worst cold is centered on this weekend.

- While bitterly cold wind chills/temps are clearly the NUMBER
  ONE concern for Friday night onward, there are some
  additional, currently-low confidence chances for snow between
  Friday night-Sunday night. At this time, there is too much
  "model chaos" to pin down any potentially more organized
  chances with any degree of confidence, but at least for now,
  none appear significant.

- Although not truly warm by ANY means, a gradual recovery out
  of the deep freeze is expected for Tues-Wed that at least
  gets us out of "Advisory/Warning- worthy" territory, with high
  temps expected to rebound into mainly the teens Tues/mainly
  20s Wed.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 526 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

- GENERAL FORECAST COMMENTS (mainly on the winter storm):
It's been another busy shift trying to pin down the
trends/details of our next winter storm/snow event later this
afternoon into Friday, along with the ultimate magnitude of just
HOW cold it will get over these next several days (for sure
cold enough to potentially threaten several daily records at
Grand Island/Hastings...see separate Climate section below for
rundown of current records most favored to be threatened).

Getting back to the short-term winter storm, unfortunately
models over the last 12-36 hours have exhibited just enough
variability from run-to-run that our forecast snow totals have
"flip- flopped" up/down at least modestly (up to a few inches),
which has made for some frustration regarding choosing the
appropriate "headline" (Warning vs. Advisory). Am still not
totally comfortable with our actual snow amount forecast, but
it is increasingly-clear that the eastern half of our CWA
(especially east of Hwy 281) will see more snow than our west
(lowest amounts pretty clearly near/west of Highway 183). We are
not talking "super heavy" snow amounts here ("only" 5-6" in
eastern areas), but the combo of the drier/more powdery snow
(especially compared to the earlier week system) will likely be
blown about pretty efficiently by northerly winds gusting up to
around 35 MPH, accentuating storm impacts somewhat and likely
leading to at least localized near-blizzard conditions. That
being said, official Blizzard Warnings were not seriously
considered at this time, given that forecast wind speeds are
only hitting the marginal end of official Blizzard criteria.
that being said, felt the snow+wind combo was worthy of
upgrading our eastern-most two columns of Nebraska counties
(along/east of Hwy 14) from Winter Weather Advisory to Winter
Storm Warning.

Before diving into more chronological forecast details, also
want to emphasize that although we decided to "keep it simple"
by keeping the "start time" of the Advisory/Warning the same for
the entire CWA (3 PM), that in reality MOST of the CWA
(especially east) probably won't see snow really get going until
6-8 PM. Just a gentle reminder that winter Warning/Advisory
start times/end times are rarely exact...just ballpark (don't
take them too literally).

- CURRENT/RECENT WEATHER SCENE AS OF 430 AM:
As expected, it's been a precipitation-free night, but the very
leading edges of our LONG-DISCUSSED Arctic cold front is slowly
progressing from north-to-south across our CWA, it's passage
marked by a switch to still fairly light-but-steady north-
northeast winds, along with spotty patches of low clouds. The
presence of this boundary can really be seen when looking
slightly beyond our CWA borders, with temps ranging from single
digits in northern NE, to some 20s still in central KS. Within
our CWA, lows this morning are on track to bottom out anywhere
from 5-10 north-northeast to teens near/south of the KS border.

In the big picture of the mid-upper levels, water vapor
satellite and short term model data clearly depict our next
approaching (currently positively-tilted) shortwave trough
heading generally eastward along an axis from WY to AZ/NM, with
the very leading/eastward edges of light snow just approaching
the NE/WY border.

- TODAY-FRIDAY NIGHT (winter storm and Arctic air arrives):
- The snow:
Over the course of these next 24 hours, the large- scale upper
trough will start to take a more neutral tilt as a vorticity max
in its base intensifies as it reaches the OK/TX border by
sunrise Friday, but with its northward axis extending up into
our area. Fortunately, confidence is at least somewhat-high
regarding the onset of snow, wind speeds etc. For this morning,
have actually removed small snow chances (PoPs) from western
zones as we should get through Noon snow-free. Then especially
the western 1/2 to 1/3 of our CWA will see the initial onset of
snow this afternoon as sufficient low-mid level saturation/lift
arrives. However, for MOST of our CWA (especially east of Hwy
281), it will likely be more-so 6-8 PM until snow REALLY gets
going. Once it does, look for a decent area of moderate to
perhaps embedded heavier snow to really take off as the larger-
scale system itself gets more organized. For sure, this will be
a drier/more powdery snow compared to most of what fell earlier
in the week (owing to colder temps), and it will likely blow
around fairly efficiently as sustained north winds of 15-25
MPH/gusts to around 35 MPH prevail. The vast majority of snow
within our CWA will fall this evening-overnight, then gradually
ending from west-to-east on Friday morning as the upper system
continues to intensify/become more negatively tilted as it turns
northeast toward the Great Lakes (we are only catching the
western reaches/"glancing blow" of this system that will pack
more of a snow/wind punch across states to our east-northeast).

As for official forecast snow amounts, we are looking for only
1-2" in our far western counties (west of Hwy 183), generally
2-4" from Hwy 183 eastward to around Hwy 281 (including Tri
Cities), and potential for more so 5-6" counties east of Highway
281) as supported by various models including ECMWF ensemble
data...note a slight increase from previous forecast. Although
our "official" Warning criteria is 6" in our Neb zones, we opted
to be slightly "lenient" given the potential for blowing
snow/reduced visibility and upgrade those counties in our east
most favored to pick up 5-6". Meanwhile, left the Winter Weather
Advisory going for all other counties (albeit a bit "weak" far
west). Like our last storm, truly accurate/official snow amounts
will again be challenging to measure, especially given pre-
existing snow cover. Left the end time of the Advisory/Warning
as Noon Friday, although some lingering blowing snow and maybe
even flurries are possible (gusts gradually easing under 30 MPH
though, but still breezy into Friday night). Late Friday night,
some residual light snow/flurries could affect our area as a
weaker/reinforcing wave drops in behind the departed primary
one, but this is not currently expected to amount to much.

- Temps/wind chills:
Hopefully you enjoyed yesterday's 30s/40s because they are LONG
gone for probably at least 10-14 days! Actual high temps today
(which might prove to be too warm as Arctic airmasses often move
in slightly faster than expected) are only teens north/20s
south. Low temps tonight mainly single digits above zero. Highs
Friday mainly only 5-10 most areas, then lows Friday night
single digits below zero. More importantly, dangerously cold
wind chills of mainly -15 to -20 (spotty -25 north) will become
widespread tonight into Friday AM, and this is covered by a CWA-
wide Wind Chill Advisory. Starting Friday night into Sat AM (and
several nights/morning thereafter), even more dangerous wind
chills of -25 to -40 (spotty -45 cannot be ruled out) will be
common. As a result, it was decided to just "keep it simple" and
convert the long-fuse Wind Chill Watch issued 24 hours ago for
Fri night through Mon night/Tues AM to a long-fuse Wind Chill
Warning (even though not every location will necessarily meet
Warning criteria of -30 each night/morning).

-SATURDAY-SUNDAY (brutally cold weekend):
In short, this time frame will simply be brutally cold, above
all else. Highs BOTh days are likely to fail to reach ZERO in
most areas, with overnight lows teens BELOW zero, with even
lighter north winds promoting dangerously cold wind chills of at
least -25 to -40. Snow-wise, various, low-confidence chances
exist, and although nothing looks "major" at this time, we will
need to monitor for bands that could easily drop another inch or
two in the frigid airmass.

- MONDAY-WEDNESDAY (gradual recovery:
Although especially Monday daytime could still feature some
pesky snow chances, the forecast for Tues-Wed is currently
snow- free and the main story will be the end of the truly
BRUTAL cold, and transition toward more "regular" January cold.
High temps Mon look to recover to single digits above zero, then
mainly teen Tuesday and 20s (maybe even a few 30s?) for
Wednesday, but there are some bigger model differences by then.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1117 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

The midday hour brings VFR conditions to much of the immediate
area, but deteriorating conditions are expected, especially late
this afternoon into this evening and tonight. An upper level
storm system will bring snow chances to both terminal sites,
with sub-1SM visibilities and sub-1000ft ceilings expected as
the main band of snow sets up. This band gradually shifts east
with time, with slight improvements (but still IFR/LIFR
conditions not out of the question) possible through the early
morning hours Friday...then more improvement after sunrise.
Gusty northerly winds expected throughout this period, with BLSN
being a concern this evening through the end of this period.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 617 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

Several daily temperature records appear potentially threatened
during our upcoming "Arctic blast" Friday-Monday at Grand
Island/Hastings airports (our two primary long-term stations for
which we issue formal Record Event Reports/RERs). A few of the
records that appear MOST favored to be at least "near-threatened
or possibly outright-broken Jan. 12-15 follow:

-- Grand Island (GRI):
Record cold lows:
Jan. 14 (Sunday): current record -13 (1972)
Jan. 15 (Monday): current record -14 (2005)

Record cold highs/Max T:
Jan. 13 (Saturday): current record 4 (1979/1912)
Jan. 14 (Sunday): current record 1 (2005/1979)
Jan. 15: (Monday); current record 4 (2005)

-- Hastings (HSI):
Record cold lows:
Jan. 15 (Monday): current record -11 (1972)

Record cold highs/Max T:
Jan. 12 (Friday): current record 6 (2011/1974/1963)
Jan. 13 (Saturday): current record -1 (1916)
Jan. 14 (Sunday): current record 3 (2005)
Jan. 15: (Monday); current record 6 (2005)

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to noon CST
     Friday for NEZ039-040-046-047-060>062-072>075-082>085.
     Wind Chill Advisory from midnight tonight to noon CST Friday
     for NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087.
     Wind Chill Warning from 6 PM Friday to noon CST Tuesday for
     NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087.
     Winter Storm Warning from 3 PM this afternoon to noon CST
     Friday for NEZ041-048-049-063-064-076-077-086-087.
KS...Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to noon CST
     Friday for KSZ005>007-017>019.
     Wind Chill Advisory from midnight tonight to noon CST Friday
     for KSZ005>007-017>019.
     Wind Chill Warning from 6 PM Friday to noon CST Tuesday for
     KSZ005>007-017>019.

&&

DISCUSSION...Pfannkuch
AVIATION...ADP
CLIMATE...Pfannkuch
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 11, 2:24 PM CST, 1 hour 36 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Hastings NE
224 PM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-
121200-
Phillips-Smith-Jewell-Rooks-Osborne-Mitchell-Valley-Greeley-Nance-
Sherman-Howard-Merrick-Polk-Dawson-Buffalo-Hall-Hamilton-York-
Gosper-Phelps-Kearney-Adams-Clay-Fillmore-Furnas-Harlan-Franklin-
Webster-Nuckolls-Thayer-
224 PM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and
portions of north central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...This evening and Tonight.

This evening into tonight, the entire outlook area will be
affected by a winter storm bringing snow and blowing snow and
possible near-blizzard conditions, but some areas will be
impacted more than others. Either a Winter Storm Warning or Winter
Weather Advisory is in effect area-wide. Please refer to the
Warning and Advisory statements for more details.

In addition to snow and blowing snow issues, the entire outlook
area will endure very cold wind chills as low as -15 to -25
degrees late tonight into Friday morning. As a result, the entire
area is under a Wind Chill Advisory beginning at midnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

The entire outlook area remains under either a Winter Storm
Warning or Winter Weather Advisory through noon Friday. Please
refer to the Warning and Advisory statements for more details.

The entire outlook area also remains under a Wind Chill Advisory
until Noon Friday for very cold wind chills as low as -15 to -25
degrees.

From Friday evening all the way through next Tuesday morning, the
entire outlook area is under a Wind Chill Warning, due to
dangerously cold wind chills as low as -25 to -40 degrees,
especially during the night and morning hours.

Although the dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills will
be the overall-biggest weather concern Friday night onward, there
will also be additional, intermittent chances for at least light
snow between Friday night and Monday. Significant accumulations do
not appear likely at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encourage to report any measured snowfall totals.

&&

More information may be obtained at the following web page:
   https://www.weather.gov/hastings

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

32 winter storm, 10 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Nance

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Nance forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.397, -97.992 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 4 to 8 inches fell across the county. A total of 6.5 inches was measures by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Belgrade and by a CoCoRaHS observer located nine miles northeast of Palmer.

Winter Storm, Merrick

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Merrick forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.170, -98.038 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 7 to 12 inches fell across the county. A total of 7.1 inches was measured by the NWS Cooperative Observer located one mile west of Orleans. Social media reports of an estimated 10 to 11 inches came from the Palmer area and an estimated 7 inches from the Worms area.

Winter Storm, Hamilton

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Hamilton forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.874, -98.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 7 to 12 inches fell across the county, based on reports from nearby locations. A social media report of an estimated 9 inches came from the Marquette area.

Winter Storm, Clay

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.524, -98.051 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 4 to 8 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 7.5 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Clay Center and 7.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located six miles east-southeast of Clay Center. A social media report of an estimated 7.0 inches came from the Fairfield area.

Winter Storm, Nuckolls

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Nuckolls forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
40.176, -98.047 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 3 to 7 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 5.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located in Lawrence, 5.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located eight miles northwest of Superior, and 2.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Superior.

Winter Storm, Thayer

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Thayer forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.176, -97.595 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 3 to 7 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 7.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Hubbell and from a CoCoRaHS observer located in Davenport and 5.1 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Hebron.

Winter Storm, Fillmore

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Fillmore forecast zone
Reported by
Social Media
Coordinates
40.525, -97.596 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 3 to 7 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 5.5 inches from a social media report in the Milligan area, 3.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located three miles south-southeast of Grafton, and 3.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located four miles south of Shickley.

Winter Storm, York

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 4:00 PM CST
Where
York forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
40.873, -97.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 7 to 12 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 11.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located six miles north of Bradshaw, 9.0 inches from a social media report located five miles west of Benedict, and 6.5 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observers located three miles north of York and in Bradshaw.

Winter Storm, Polk

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Polk forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
41.187, -97.568 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 7 to 12 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 12.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located seven miles west of Osceola, 9.8 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located three miles northeast of Shelby, 8.5 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Osceola, and 7.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Polk.

Winter Weather, Dawson

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 9:00 AM CST
Where
Dawson forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
40.870, -99.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 2 to 5 inches fell across the county. A total of 4.0 inches was measured by a CoCoRaHS observer located six miles southwest of Lexington.

Winter Weather, Gosper

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 9:00 AM CST
Where
Gosper forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.515, -99.831 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 1 to 4 inches fell across the county. A total of 2.0 inches was measured by the NWS Cooperative Observer at the Canada Power Station, located six miles south-southeast of Lexington.

Winter Weather, Furnas

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 9:00 AM CST
Where
Furnas forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.177, -99.912 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of a trace to 3 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 1.3 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located six miles north-northwest of Oxford and 1.0 inches from NWS Cooperative Observers located in Wilsonville, Edison, and Beaver City.

Winter Weather, Harlan

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 9:00 AM CST
Where
Harlan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.177, -99.405 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 1 to 3 inches fell across the county. A total of 2.0 inches was measured by the NWS Cooperative Observer located one mile west of Orleans. A social media report of an estimated 1 to 2 inches came from the Alma area.

Winter Weather, Phelps

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 9:00 AM CST
Where
Phelps forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.511, -99.414 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 1 to 4 inches fell across the county. A total of 2.0 inches was measured by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Holdrege.

Winter Weather, Franklin

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Franklin forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
40.176, -98.953 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 2 to 5 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 4.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located five miles south-southeast of Hildreth and 2.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observers located in Naponee.

Winter Weather, Kearney

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Kearney forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.507, -98.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 2 to 6 inches fell across the county. A total of 3.0 inches was measured by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Minden.

Winter Weather, Buffalo

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Buffalo forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.855, -99.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 2 to 6 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 5.1 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Miller, 4.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located three miles southeast of Ravenna, 3.7 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Kearney, and 3.5 inches from NWS Cooperative Observers located in Ravenna.

Winter Weather, Sherman

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Sherman forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
41.221, -98.976 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 2 to 6 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 4.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located two miles northwest of Rockville and 4.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Loup City.

Winter Weather, Webster

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Webster forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.176, -98.500 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 2 to 6 inches fell across the county, based on reports from nearby locations.

Winter Storm, Valley

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Valley forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.567, -98.982 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 4 to 8 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 8.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in North Loup, 6.2 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Ord, and 5.5 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located two miles west of Arcadia.

Winter Storm, Howard

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Howard forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
41.220, -98.517 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 4 to 8 inches fell across the county. A total of 4.2 inches was measured by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in St. Paul.

Winter Storm, Hall

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Hall forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
40.873, -98.502 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 4 to 8 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 7.1 inches from the official NWS Observer located near the Grand Island Central Nebraska Regional Airport and 7.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles east-northeast of Doniphan. A social media report of an estimated 5 inches came from the Wood River area. The daily liquid-equivalent precipitation and snowfall records for January 12th were both tied at Grand Island. The liquid-equivalent precipitation measured was 0.20 inch, tying the record set in 1979 and 1897. The snowfall measured was 3.0 inches, tying the record set in 1979.

Winter Storm, Adams

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Adams forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
40.525, -98.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 4 to 8 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 7.7 inches from the NWS Hastings office located four miles north of Hastings and several totals between 6 and 8 inches from across the city of Hastings. New daily liquid-equivalent precipitation and snowfall records for January 12th were set at Hastings. The liquid-equivalent precipitation measured was 0.22 inch, breaking the old record of 0.16 inch set in 1968. The snowfall measured was 4.0 inches, breaking the old record of 1.5 inches set in 1968.

Winter Storm, Greeley

When
January 11, 5:00 PM CST to January 12, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Greeley forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
41.567, -98.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts of 4 to 8 inches fell across the county. Measured amounts included 8.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles east of Scotia, 6.5 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Greeley, and 4.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located eight miles south-southwest of Spalding.

Winter Storm, Valley

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Valley forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.567, -98.982 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Sherman

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Sherman forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.221, -98.976 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Buffalo

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Buffalo forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.855, -99.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Kearney

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Kearney forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.507, -98.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Greeley

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Greeley forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.567, -98.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Howard

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Howard forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.220, -98.517 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Hall

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Hall forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.873, -98.502 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Adams

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Adams forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.525, -98.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Webster

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Webster forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.176, -98.500 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Nance

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Nance forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.397, -97.992 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Merrick

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Merrick forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.170, -98.038 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Hamilton

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Hamilton forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.874, -98.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Clay

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.524, -98.051 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Nuckolls

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Nuckolls forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.176, -98.047 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Polk

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Polk forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
41.187, -97.568 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, York

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
York forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.873, -97.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Fillmore

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Fillmore forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.525, -97.596 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

Winter Storm, Thayer

When
January 13, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Thayer forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.176, -97.595 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Any additional snowfall during this period was light. A reinforcing push of northerly winds gusting between 35 and 45 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting of the snowfall from the 11-12th, causing poor visibility and hazardous conditions through the daytime hours on the 13th.

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

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, January 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: 1157321, 1157322, 1157323, 1157324, 1157325, 1157326, 1157327, 1157328, 1157329, 1157302, 1157303, 1157307, 1157309, 1157310, 1157311, 1157312, 1157313, 1157314, 1157315, 1157316, 1157317, 1157318, 1157319, 1157320, 1157394, 1157395, 1157396, 1157397, 1157398, 1157399, 1157400, 1157401, 1157402, 1157403, 1157404, 1157405, 1157406, 1157407, 1157408, 1157409, and more.