Nebraska, 2024Cold in Nebraska, January 13 to 16, 2024
January 13 to 16, 2024 · NWS GLD · 3 events in 3 counties and zones
In the evening of the 12th, a strong cold front moved southward over the area. Behind it, it brought an arctic airmass that caused -25F wind chills to occur early in the morning of the 13th.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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- Deaths
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 3
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
In the evening of the 12th, a strong cold front moved southward over the area. Behind it, it brought an arctic airmass that caused -25F wind chills to occur early in the morning of the 13th. This airmass remained until the 16th, as did cold temperatures and wind chills. The coldest wind chill recorded in Southwestern Nebraska during the event was -36F in Red Willow County.
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 Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 12, 9:43 PM MST, 3 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 12, 9:43 PM MST, 3 hours 17 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
943 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 200 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
Arctic front still retreating eastward through northeast
Colorado this afternoon, but probably won't reach the Kansas
border before a surface low on the front dives south through
eastern Colorado this evening and the Arctic air surges
southward with it. Patchy dense freezing fog may develop along
the front from about 04z-09z in the southwest half of the area
(Akron, Colorado, to Scott City, Kansas and west), while light
snow will likely develop behind it. Northerly winds gusting
20-30 mph behind the front will create areas of blowing snow.
Snow accumulations will generally be less than one inch, but
even light amounts have proven sufficient to create visibility
reductions to less than one mile in blowing snow and hazardous
driving conditions. The Arctic blast begins in earnest tonight
with low temperatures 5 to 10 below and wind chills 30 to 40
below.
For Saturday through Monday, not much change in temperatures as
the Arctic air will not relent. High temperatures will be a few
degrees either side of zero each day and low temperatures 10 to
20 below. Wind chills will be around 20 below during the day and
30 below at night. There will be occasional chances for light
snow with a series of shortwaves rotating around the upper low
slowly moving through the northern plains. That being said,
there will be a lull in the snow on Saturday before picking up
again Sunday and Monday. Snow amounts remain on the light side,
with 2-day totals on Sunday and Monday between 1 and 3 inches
currently anticipated. Winds will be light on Sunday, less than
10 mph, but do increase on Monday with gusts up to 25 mph, which
may result in areas of blowing snow.
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 200 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
Temperatures begin to moderate on Tuesday with highs currently
forecast to reach the teens and 20s. Wednesday will see
significantly warmer temperatures with highs in the 30s to
possibly lower 40s in northeast Colorado. No precipitation is
expected either day with dry northwest flow. Thursday a little
more uncertain in regards to both temperatures and precipitation
chances. GFS brings in another surge of colder air, though not
as cold as the present air mass, as well as a chance for light
snow. The ECMWF on the other has temperatures warmer than even
Wednesday with a chance for either light rain or snow, then
colder temperatures Thursday night and Friday. The differences
between the two models comes down to their handling of the next
shortwave diving south out of Canada. At this point, will cut the
difference and have slightly colder temperatures on both days
with a slight mention of snow. Confidence for Thursday and Friday
is low.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Saturday night)
Issued at 940 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
NNE-N winds at 15-20 knots will further increase to 20-30 knots
around 09-12 UTC.. as an Arctic airmass surges southward into the
region. Expect deteriorating conditions at both terminals this
evening and overnight.. in association with light snow, blowing
snow, and low ceilings (mainly after ~05 UTC), with the relative
worst conditions occurring in the 06-12 UTC time frame. Conditions
are anticipated to improve to VFR by late morning (~18 UTC
Saturday). Breezy N to NNW winds will persist through the
afternoon. Winds will abruptly decrease to 6-12 knots an hour or
so prior to sunset Saturday evening.. as Arctic high pressure
becomes established over the region (MSLP gradient weakens) and
the development of a strong nocturnal inversion terminates mixing.
&&
.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...Wind Chill Warning until 11 AM MST /noon CST/ Tuesday for
KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042.
CO...Wind Chill Warning until 11 AM MST Tuesday for COZ090>092.
NE...Wind Chill Warning until 11 AM MST /noon CST/ Tuesday for
NEZ079>081.
&&
SHORT TERM...024
LONG TERM...024
AVIATION...VincentHazardous weather outlook, Jan 12, 4:22 PM MST, 8 hours 38 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Goodland KS
422 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-132330-
Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-
Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-
Red Willow-
422 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024 /522 PM CST Fri Jan 12 2024/
This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska...
northwest Kansas and east central Colorado.
.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...
A Wind Chill Warning is in effect for the entire Tri State area
tonight through Tuesday morning.
Hazardous travel conditions associated with light snow and blowing
snow are expected across portions of the area this evening and
overnight, mainly along and north of Interstate 70 and west of
Highway 83. Patchy dense freezing fog may also develop overnight,
mainly along and west of a line from Akron, Colorado, to Scott City,
Kansas.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...
A Wind Chill Warning remains in effect for the entire Tri State area
through Tuesday morning. Wind chill readings will range from 20
below zero during the day to 30 below zero at night. Periods of light
snow are expected this weekend and early next week. Significant
accumulations are currently not anticipated.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotters are encouraged to report additional snow accumulation to
the National Weather Service in Goodland via social media or
telephone.
Vincent
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jan 12, 9:52 PM MST, 3 hours 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
952 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0935 PM Extreme Cold Saint Francis 39.77N 101.80W
01/12/2024 M-15 F Cheyenne KS AWOS
The AWOS in St. Francis (KSYF) reported a
wind chill of -15F at 9:35 pm MST (0435
UTC). Air temperature 4F, wind from the NNE
at 16 mph.
&&
VincentLocal storm report, Jan 12, 9:54 PM MST, 3 hours 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
954 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0935 PM Extreme Cold 3 N Colby 39.43N 101.05W
01/12/2024 M-15 F Thomas KS AWOS
The AWOS in Colby (KCBK) reported a wind
chill of -15F at 9:35 pm MST (0435 UTC). Air
temperature 5F, wind from the NNE at 20 mph.
&&
VincentLocal storm report, Jan 12, 9:55 PM MST, 3 hours 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
955 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0935 PM Extreme Cold 2 NW Wray 40.10N 102.25W
01/12/2024 M-15 F Yuma CO AWOS
The AWOS in Wray (K2V5) reported a wind
chill of -15F at 9:35 pm MST (0435 UTC). Air
temperature 3F, wind from the NNE at 14 mph
gusting to 23 mph.
&&
VincentLocal storm report, Jan 12, 9:56 PM MST, 3 hours 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
956 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0939 PM Extreme Cold 1 NNW Norton 39.85N 99.90W
01/12/2024 M-22 F Norton KS AWOS
The AWOS in Norton (KNRN) reported a wind
chill of -22F at 9:39 pm MST (0439 UTC). Air
temperature 1F, wind from the N at 22 mph.
&&
VincentLocal storm report, Jan 12, 9:59 PM MST, 3 hours 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
959 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0945 PM Extreme Cold 2 N Atwood 39.84N 101.04W
01/12/2024 M-22 F Rawlins KS Mesonet
Mesonet station GW1727 ATWOOD reported a
wind chill of -22F at 9:45 pm MST (0445
UTC). Air temperature 0F, wind from the NNE
at 19 mph gusting to 28 mph.
&&
VincentLocal storm report, Jan 12, 10:01 PM MST, 2 hours 59 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1001 PM MST Fri Jan 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0953 PM Extreme Cold 1 NNE Goodland 39.37N 101.70W
01/12/2024 M-15 F Sherman KS ASOS
The ASOS in Goodland (KGLD) reported a wind
chill of -15F at 9:53 pm MST (0453 UTC). Air
temperature 4F, wind from the NE at 16 mph.
&&
VincentCold/Wind Chill, Dundy
- When
- January 13, 1:00 AM MST to January 16, 8:30 AM MST
- Where
- Dundy forecast zone
- Deaths
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- AWOS
- Coordinates
- 40.176, -101.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
This event was based on nearby observations in Yuma, CO, Imperial, NE, and McCook, NE. The AWOS at the airport in Yuma, CO report reported -25F wind chills starting at 1215 AM with Imperial starting at 1245 AM on the 13th. There were brief times during the day time hours that wind chills warmed above -25F, generally due to the AWOS reporting calm winds. Overnight on the 15th, an additional cold front moved through and the AWOS reported the coldest reading of -38F wind chills.
Key impacts: frostbite, hypothermia.
Cold/Wind Chill, Red Willow
- When
- January 13, 4:15 AM CST to January 16, 9:30 AM CST
- Where
- Red Willow forecast zone
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 40.176, -100.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The ASOS at McCook, NE reported -25F wind chills starting at 0415 on the 13th. There were brief times during the day time hours that wind chills warmed above -25F, generally due to the ASOS reporting calm winds. Overnight on the 15th, an additional cold front moved through and the ASOS reported -36F wind chills.
Key impacts: frostbite, hypothermia.
Cold/Wind Chill, Hitchcock
- When
- January 13, 4:15 AM CST to January 16, 9:30 AM CST
- Where
- Hitchcock forecast zone
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 40.176, -101.042 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
This event was based on nearby observations. The ASOS at McCook, NE reported -25F wind chills starting at 0415 on the 13th. There were brief times during the day time hours that wind chills warmed above -25F, generally due to the ASOS reporting calm winds. Overnight on the 15th, an additional cold front moved through and the ASOS reported -36F wind chills.
Key impacts: frostbite, hypothermia.
- Cold/Wind Chill
- Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Flash Flooding and Coastal Flood in Maine, January 13, 2024$76 million · 8 events
- Extreme Cold in Illinois, January 13 to 16, 20241 death · 29 events
- Flash Flood and Coastal Flood in New Hampshire, January 13, 2024$30 million · 2 events
- Flash Flooding in American Samoa, January 13 to 15, 2024$192,000 · 5 events
- Extreme Cold in Iowa, January 13 to 16, 202451 events
- Extreme Cold and Winter Weather in Minnesota, January 13 to 14, 202440 events
- Extreme Cold and Winter Weather in Missouri, January 13 to 14, 202433 events
- Cold in Missouri, January 13 to 16, 202424 events
- High Wind and Strong Wind in Vermont, January 13, 202450 kt wind · 14 events
- Coastal Flood in New Jersey, January 13, 202414 events
- Coastal Flood in New York, January 13, 202414 events
- Cold in Illinois, January 13 to 15, 202414 events
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: 1152536, 1152454, 1152455.