A closed upper low-pressure system moved east across Kansas and into Missouri overnight on January 8th and into the morning hours of January 9th. South central Nebraska was in the left exit region of an upper jet stream which increased lift over the area.
Every event with a place to put it; 27 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS GID wrote it up.
A closed upper low-pressure system moved east across Kansas and into Missouri overnight on January 8th and into the morning hours of January 9th. South central Nebraska was in the left exit region of an upper jet stream which increased lift over the area. Moisture was advected into the area from a low-level jet with a surface low over Texas, Oklahoma, and then southern Missouri. Snow began during the day on January 8th across Nebraska and Kansas and started to decrease from west to east after midnight on January 9th and ended across the area during the day on the 9th. Widespread snow totals of 4-8 inches, with locally higher amounts of 9-12 inches, were reported across the area, with the highest totals focused over areas east of Highway 183. Grand Island and Hastings both shattered the liquid equivalent precipitation and snowfall records for January 8th. Winds started to increase across the region during the evening on January 8th and into the overnight hours on January 9th which resulted in blizzard conditions. Northerly wind gusts of 40-45 MPH were common, with a few gusts over 50 MPH reported, including a gust of 52 MPH from the Hastings Airport ASOS. Temperatures dropped into the teens during the overnight period with wind chill values dropping into the negative single digits. Winds began to decrease from west to east during the day on January 9th.
The heavy snow and strong winds resulted in near white-out to blizzard conditions, prompting widespread road closures, as well as school and event cancellations. A light wintry mix was reported ahead of the main snow event, also contributing to slick conditions across the area. Interstate 80 was closed in both directions by mid-afternoon on January 8th, and did not fully reopen until mid-afternoon on January 9th. Many area state and county highways also experienced closures. The Nebraska State Patrol reported over 300 weather related incidents across the entire area during this storm, including 310 motorist assists and 37 crashes. One accident the morning of January 8th resulted in one fatality and one injury near Lexington in Dawson County.
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 8, 6:07 AM CST, 53 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
607 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024
...Aviation Update...
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A significant winter storm will impact our entire coverage
area (CWA) to varying degrees today into tonight, with the
majority of FALLING snow occurring this morning through this
evening, but the worst impacts from blowing/drifting snow
ramping up from west-to-east this afternoon-overnight as
northerly winds gust as high as 40-50 MPH. MOST places now
expected to pick up between 5-10" of snow.
- Roughly the southwest half of our CWA (including the Tri
Cities) has been converted to a Blizzard Warning as those
counties are overall most-favored to experience a few hours of
blizzard conditions later today-tonight as winds ramp up, but
at least near-blizzard conditions are also probable elsewhere
in our CWA where a Winter Storm Warning continues.
- Our active weather pattern continues beyond the current storm,
with a chance for a touch of light snow returning already
Wednesday, and perhaps a better chance for accumulating snow
during the Thurs-Fri time frame (uncertainty high, but does
not appear nearly as significant as current system.
- Starting especially Thursday night onward (likely into the
first part of NEXT week...beyond our current 7-day forecast),
we will need to brace for what will likely be our overall-
coldest, multiple-day stretch since the infamous Feb. 2021
cold air outbreak. Several days of single-digit high temps
appear probable, along with several overnight-morning wind
chills of at least -15 to -30 degrees (probably eventually
prompting Advisories and possible Warnings).
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 533 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024
UP FRONT NOTE: in the interest/necessity of time, the ENTIRE
remainder of this discussion will focus solely on these next 48
hours, and particularly on the impending winter storm. The most
important items in our longer term forecast are outlined in Key
Messages above.
-- VARIOUS NOTES/ITEMS COMPLETELY RELATED TO THE IMPENDING
WINTER STORM:
- Meteorological basics/general expectations:
In the mid-upper levels, water vapor satellite imagery and short
term model data clearly depict a vigorous closed low/vort max
churning over eastern NM, with the exit region of a powerful
100+KT upper level jet streaming northeastward along its
periphery, and promoting increased lift into our area within its
left exit region. At the surface, a roughly 996 millibar low s
centered over the northeast NM/TX Panhandle border area. Out
ahead of the surface low, an impressive southerly low level jet
has resulted in impressive (for January) warm air/moisture
advection into our region, and there is even up to a few hundred
J/kg of elevated instability/CAPE noted over our KS/southern
zones, where some rain showers (possibly with some sleet) have
already developed and the possibility exists for some weak
thunderstorms.
Over the course of today, the warm air advection will steadily
be replaced by cold air advection as the nearly vertically
stacked upper/surface lows move east into northwest OK, causing
our surface/level winds to turn northerly and increase across
our CWA with time from west-to-east. Although this low pressure
track is typically a touch too far south to bring us significant
precipitation/snowfall, latest model runs have keyed in on
impressive lift/forcing/frontogenesis to the north of the main
low, with a significant expansion (explosion?) of moderate-
heavy precipitation likely to break out over the entire CWA this
morning, but the overall-heaviest amounts targeting roughly the
southeast 2/3rds of our CWA. For the vast majority of the CWA,
precipitation type will be snow (heavy at times). However
through at least mid-morning (9-10 AM) lingering warm air aloft
could keep precip type as mainly rain (and possibly sleet in
convective cores) in parts of our KS zones up toward the Hebron
area. However, even much of this area should turn to snow by
mid-late morning as the low-levels cool aided by strong dynamic
forcing/lifting processes.
This evening-tonight into Tues AM, the powerful upper
level/surface storm system will reach southern MO, with our
winds ramping up and turning more northwesterly in a tight
pressure gradient, with with snow gradually becoming lighter in
nature while ending from west-to-east. By sunrise, especially
the western 2/3rds of our CWA will be snow-free, but lingering
light snow might take closer to 9-10 AM to fully vacate our far
eastern zones. Even as falling snow exits, tonight into Tues AM,
strong north-northwest winds gusting as high as 40-50 MPH
(anything over 45 would likely be an exception) will promote
continued blowing/drifting snow issues.
Finally, Tuesday afternoon will not only bring steadily
decreasing winds (actually fairly light by sunset...only around
10 MPH from the west) and plentiful sunshine, officially ending
any issues with this potent system.
-- SNOW AMOUNTS/UNCERTAINTY:
As always, even at this "zero hour", there is still some modest
uncertainty in how snow amounts play out. However, we are
calling for MOST of the CWA to end up somewhere in the 5-10"
range, which is consistent with various model guidance including
the 00Z HREF. Localized higher/lower amounts are certainly
possible too. IF any locations were to exceed 10", it would
appear most favored within some of our Nebraska counties east of
Hwy 281. IF there is any particular location most favored to
fall short of 6" (perhaps only 3-4"), it would be our extreme
southeast CWA in/near Mitchell County KS, where a combination of
precipitation taking the longest to turn to snow, along with
possible influences from the northern fringe of a mid-level dry
slot could cut into amounts. As for actual precipitation amounts
(liquid equivalent), much of the southeast 2/3rds of our CWA is
in line for 0.75-1.25", which is a SIGNIFICANT amount by Jan.
standards.
- WINDS:
Fairly high confidence in our wind forecast. Right away this
morning they are fairly light (generally only 10-15 MPH and
mainly easterly). However, as the main low pressure system
passes to our south this afternoon-evening, wind will turn more
northerly while increasing in speed (from west-to-east across
the area), with sustained speeds commonly 25-35 MPH and frequent
gusts 35-45 MPH (isolated 50 MPH possible). Obviously this could
cause plentiful issues with blowing/drifting, although with the
initial several hours of snow being on the wetter side to what
degree is somewhat in question. Between sunrise and noon
Tuesday, gusts of 30-40 MPH will remain common, but then
decreasing steadily Tuesday afternoon and allowing snow clean-up
to get into full force.
- WARNING ("headline") DECISIONS:
After some long consideration, have opted to convert roughly the
southwest half of our CWA (including the Tri Cities) from a
Winter Storm Warning to a Blizzard Warning, while letting the
Winter Storm Warning ride farther north and east. PLEASE NOTE
that true blizzard-criteria wind speeds (gusts 35+ MPH) won't
kick in until this afternoon-evening, but just went ahead and
started the Blizzard Warning this morning for simplicity sake.
Reaching official blizzard criteria is not a "sure thing", but
felt the combo of significant snow/strong winds made this
conversion warranted particularly for that part of our CWA (most
population, including parts of the I-80/Hwy 281 corridors. The
Blizzard Severity Index (BSI) is also most supportive of this
part of our CWA having the overall-WORST issues (values slightly
over 4), but please note that at least near-blizzard conditions
will likely unfold within the Winter Storm Warning area and
further conversion to Blizzard cannot be ruled out by later
shifts. As for the "end time" of the Warnings, made no change
(still 9 AM Tues), but could easily see eastern counties
possibly needing extended closer to Noon depending on blowing
snow trends.
- OTHER "MINOR" temperature details:
Made very minimal change to temperatures over the next 36 hours,
Actual highs today mainly 30-36 degrees, but temperatures will
steadily fall into the 20s and even teens this afternoon in our
west, allowing initially wetter/stickier snow to turn drier and
more prone to blowing issues. Low temps tonight mainly teens and
highs tomorrow mainly 20s, as despite sunshine returning the
fresh snow could really hold things back.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 550 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024
- A significant winter storm will impact our entire coverage
area (CWA) to varying degrees today into tonight, with the
majority of FALLING snow occurring this morning through this
evening, but the worst impacts from blowing/drifting snow
ramping up from west-to-east this afternoon-overnight as
northerly wind gusts ramp up as high as 40-50 MPH. MOST places
now expected to pick up between 5-10" of snow.
- Roughly the southwest half of our CWA (including the Tri
Cities) has been converted to a Blizzard Warning as those
counties are overall most-favored to experience a few hours of
blizzard conditions later today-tonight as winds ramp up, but
at least near-blizzard conditions are also probable elsewhere
in our CWA where a Winter Storm Warning continues.
- Our active weather pattern continues beyond the current storm,
with a chance for a touch of light snow returning already
Wednesday, and perhaps a better chance for accumulating snow
during the Thurs-Fri time frame (uncertainty high, but does
not appear nearly as significant as current system.
- Starting especially Thursday night onward (likely into the
first part of NEXT week...beyond our current 7-day forecast),
we will need to brace for what will likely be our overall-
coldest, multiple-day stretch since the infamous Feb. 2021
cold air outbreak. Several days of single-digit high temps
appear probable, along with several overnight-morning wind
chills of at least -15 to -30 degrees (probably eventually
prompting Advisories and possible Warnings).
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 533 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024
UP FRONT NOTE: in the interest/necessity of time, the ENTIRE
remainder of this discussion will focus solely on these next 48
hours, and particularly on the impending winter storm. The most
important items in our longer term forecast are outlined in Key
Messages above.
-- VARIOUS NOTES/ITEMS COMPLETELY RELATED TO THE IMPENDING
WINTER STORM:
- Meteorological basics/general expectations:
In the mid-upper levels, water vapor satellite imagery and short
term model data clearly depict a vigorous closed low/vort max
churning over eastern NM, with the exit region of a powerful
100+KT upper level jet streaming northeastward along its
periphery, and promoting increased lift into our area within its
left exit region. At the surface, a roughly 996 millibar low s
centered over the northeast NM/TX Panhandle border area. Out
ahead of the surface low, an impressive southerly low level jet
has resulted in impressive (for January) warm air/moisture
advection into our region, and there is even up to a few hundred
J/kg of elevated instability/CAPE noted over our KS/southern
zones, where some rain showers (possibly with some sleet) have
already developed and the possibility exists for some weak
thunderstorms.
Over the course of today, the warm air advection will steadily
be replaced by cold air advection as the nearly vertically
stacked upper/surface lows move east into northwest OK, causing
our surface/level winds to turn northerly and increase across
our CWA with time from west-to-east. Although this low pressure
track is typically a touch too far south to bring us significant
precipitation/snowfall, latest model runs have keyed in on
impressive lift/forcing/frontogenesis to the north of the main
low, with a significant expansion (explosion?) of moderate-
heavy precipitation likely to break out over the entire CWA this
morning, but the overall-heaviest amounts targeting roughly the
southeast 2/3rds of our CWA. For the vast majority of the CWA,
precipitation type will be snow (heavy at times). However
through at least mid-morning (9-10 AM) lingering warm air aloft
could keep precip type as mainly rain (and possibly sleet in
convective cores) in parts of our KS zones up toward the Hebron
area. However, even much of this area should turn to snow by
mid-late morning as the low-levels cool aided by strong dynamic
forcing/lifting processes.
This evening-tonight into Tues AM, the powerful upper
level/surface storm system will reach southern MO, with our
winds ramping up and turning more northwesterly in a tight
pressure gradient, with with snow gradually becoming lighter in
nature while ending from west-to-east. By sunrise, especially
the western 2/3rds of our CWA will be snow-free, but lingering
light snow might take closer to 9-10 AM to fully vacate our far
eastern zones. Even as falling snow exits, tonight into Tues AM,
strong north-northwest winds gusting as high as 40-50 MPH
(anything over 45 would likely be an exception) will promote
continued blowing/drifting snow issues.
Finally, Tuesday afternoon will not only bring steadily
decreasing winds (actually fairly light by sunset...only around
10 MPH from the west) and plentiful sunshine, officially ending
any issues with this potent system.
-- SNOW AMOUNTS/UNCERTAINTY:
As always, even at this "zero hour", there is still some modest
uncertainty in how snow amounts play out. However, we are
calling for MOST of the CWA to end up somewhere in the 5-10"
range, which is consistent with various model guidance including
the 00Z HREF. Localized higher/lower amounts are certainly
possible too. IF any locations were to exceed 10", it would
appear most favored within some of our Nebraska counties east of
Hwy 281. IF there is any particular location most favored to
fall short of 6" (perhaps only 3-4"), it would be our extreme
southeast CWA in/near Mitchell County KS, where a combination of
precipitation taking the longest to turn to snow, along with
possible influences from the northern fringe of a mid-level dry
slot could cut into amounts. As for actual precipitation amounts
(liquid equivalent), much of the southeast 2/3rds of our CWA is
in line for 0.75-1.25", which is a SIGNIFICANT amount by Jan.
standards.
- WINDS:
Fairly high confidence in our wind forecast. Right away this
morning they are fairly light (generally only 10-15 MPH and
mainly easterly). However, as the main low pressure system
passes to our south this afternoon-evening, wind will turn more
northerly while increasing in speed (from west-to-east across
the area), with sustained speeds commonly 25-35 MPH and frequent
gusts 35-45 MPH (isolated 50 MPH possible). Obviously this could
cause plentiful issues with blowing/drifting, although with the
initial several hours of snow being on the wetter side to what
degree is somewhat in question. Between sunrise and noon
Tuesday, gusts of 30-40 MPH will remain common, but then
decreasing steadily Tuesday afternoon and allowing snow clean-up
to get into full force.
- WARNING ("headline") DECISIONS:
After some long consideration, have opted to convert roughly the
southwest half of our CWA (including the Tri Cities) from a
Winter Storm Warning to a Blizzard Warning, while letting the
Winter Storm Warning ride farther north and east. PLEASE NOTE
that true blizzard-criteria wind speeds (gusts 35+ MPH) won't
kick in until this afternoon-evening, but just went ahead and
started the Blizzard Warning this morning for simplicity sake.
Reaching official blizzard criteria is not a "sure thing", but
felt the combo of significant snow/strong winds made this
conversion warranted particularly for that part of our CWA (most
population, including parts of the I-80/Hwy 281 corridors. The
Blizzard Severity Index (BSI) is also most supportive of this
part of our CWA having the overall-WORST issues (values slightly
over 4), but please note that at least near-blizzard conditions
will likely unfold within the Winter Storm Warning area and
further conversion to Blizzard cannot be ruled out by later
shifts. As for the "end time" of the Warnings, made no change
(still 9 AM Tues), but could easily see eastern counties
possibly needing extended closer to Noon depending on blowing
snow trends.
- OTHER "MINOR" temperature details:
Made very minimal change to temperatures over the next 36 hours,
Actual highs today mainly 30-36 degrees, but temperatures will
steadily fall into the 20s and even teens this afternoon in our
west, allowing initially wetter/stickier snow to turn drier and
more prone to blowing issues. Low temps tonight mainly teens and
highs tomorrow mainly 20s, as despite sunshine returning the
fresh snow could really hold things back.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 606 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024
- General overview for KGRI/KEAR:
This period will be highlighted by a fairly significant winter
storm (snow storm), that will not only promote a varied mix of
MVFR/IFR/LIFR ceiling and/or visibility the vast majority of the
time, but also dump GENERALLY around 6-10" of snow, with
increasing winds especially later this afternoon-overnight
blowing it around and causing drifting etc.
- Ceiling/visibility/snowfall details:
Although VFR ceiling could hang on for another 1-2 hours (mainly
at KGRI), there is still very high confidence that hte vast
majority of the period will be sub-VFR, with IFR likely by 15Z
or so as steadier snow starts breaking out. Have indicated a
gradual return to MVFR ceiling by later tonight into Tuesday
morning. Some guidance suggests improvement to MVFR could occur
sooner than indicated at KEAR/later at KGRI, so there is some
uncertainty. As for visibility/snowfall, light snow could break
out anytime in the next 1-2 hours, with a fairly abrupt onset of
moderate-heavy snow then likely by 15-16Z (perhaps some sleet at
the very outset?). Once the steady snow kicks in, prevailing
IFR/LIFR visibility will be common through much of the remainder
of the period (perhaps low-end MVFR later tonight as snow rates
let up and assuming blowing snow is not overly-significant).
- Winds:
The lightest winds will certainly occur during the first 6
hours, generally sustained only 10-15 KT/gusts under 20KT as
direction shifts from easterly to northeasterly. Thereafter,
stronger winds arrive this afternoon onward as direction turns
more northerly and eventually north-northwesterly, with much of
especially the latter 12-15 hours featuring sustained speeds
20-30KT/gusts 30-40KT.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Issued at 533 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024
- DAILY PRECIPITATION/SNOWFALL RECORDS FOR JAN. 8TH ARE VERY
LIKELY TO BE BROKEN TODAY AT GRAND ISLAND/HASTINGS:
-- Grand Island (official snow measured near airport):
Current precipitation record: 0.35" in 1937
Current snowfall record: 4.0" in 1937
-- Hastings (official snow measrued at NWS office):
Current precipitation record: 0.10" in 1992/1985/1918
Current snowfall record: 3.0" in 1985
&&
.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Blizzard Warning until 9 AM CST Tuesday for NEZ060>062-072>075-
082>085.
Winter Storm Warning until 9 AM CST Tuesday for NEZ039>041-
046>049-063-064-076-077-086-087.
KS...Blizzard Warning until 9 AM CST Tuesday for KSZ005-006-017-018.
Winter Storm Warning until 9 AM CST Tuesday for KSZ007-019.
&&
DISCUSSION...Pfannkuch
AVIATION...Pfannkuch
CLIMATE...PfannkuchHazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED National Weather Service Hastings NE 435 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024 KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087- 091030- 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- 435 AM CST Mon Jan 8 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A significant winter storm will impact the entire outlook area today into tonight, with most places expected to receive between 5 and 10 inches of snow, and blowing and drifting snow becoming more of a concern this afternoon into tonight as north winds increase across the area from west-to-east. As a result, the entire outlook area is under either a Blizzard Warning or Winter Storm Warning. Please refer to the Warning statements for more details. Although wintry precipitation is by far the main concern, in addition, a few weak thunderstorms cannot be ruled out this morning, especially near and south of the Nebraska-Kansas border. Any storms that develop could produce a quick burst of sleet. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. By daybreak Tuesday morning, any lingering, falling snow should be over with, except perhaps within some far eastern counties nearest the Highway 81 corridor. However, north-northwest winds will remain fairly strong through the morning, with gusts of at least 30 to 40 MPH promoting continued drifting and possibly blowing snow. As a result, the entire outlook area remains under either a Blizzard Warning or Winter Storm Warning until 9 AM. Winds will gradually diminish Tuesday afternoon, and will become fairly light by sunset. Although not expected to produce nearly as much snow as the current storm system, another system could bring additional accumulating snow to the area around the Thursday into Friday time frame. Uncertainty remains high at this time, however. What is more certain is that a multiple-day stretch of bitterly cold temperatures and wind chill values will arrive Thursday into Friday, lasting through this weekend and likely slightly beyond. Starting Thursday night, several nights and mornings of wind chill readings as cold as -15 to -30 degrees are likely. If current forecast trends persist, Wind Chill Advisories and possibly Warnings will eventually become warranted. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report measured snow amounts to the National Weather Service, along with any reports of observed blizzard conditions. && More information may be obtained at the following web page: https://www.weather.gov/hastings Pfannkuch
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
16 winter storm, 11 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 12 inches across the county. Highest totals included |11.5 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located two miles west-southwest of Tobias, and 10.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located four miles south of Shickley.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 12 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 12.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located along the Thayer/Jefferson county line 5 miles south-southwest of Tobias; 8.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Hubbell; 7.4 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Hebron; 7.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles north-northeast of Byron; 6.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located in Davenport.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 8.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located seven miles northeast of Superior; 7.1 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located in Lawrence; 7.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Superior; 6.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located eight miles northwest of Superior.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 8.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located two miles south of York; 6.3 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located three miles north of York; 6.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located one mile east-northeast of McCool Junction; 5.5 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Bradshaw.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. Local totals included 5.9 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Clay Center, and 5.6 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located six miles east-southeast of Clay Center.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. A local total of 5.8 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in St. Paul.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. A local total of 6.0 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Belgrade.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. A local total of 9.0 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Central City.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 9.4 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located three miles northeast of Shelby; 8.5 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Osceola; 8.1 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located one mile east of Stromsburg; 8.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Polk.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. A local total of 6.0 inches was reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located six miles north of Aurora.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 7.5 inches, reported by the NWS official observer located near the Grand Island Airport; 6.8 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located one mile east-southeast of Doniphan; 6.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles east-northeast of Doniphan; 4.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located three miles west-southwest of Wood River. New liquid equivalent precipitation and snowfall records were set at Grand Island for January 8th. A precipitation total of 0.60 inches was measured, breaking the previous record of 0.35 inches, set in 1937. A snowfall total of 7.0 inches was measured, breaking the previous record of 4.0 inches, also set in 1937.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the county. Highest totals included 5 to 7 inches reported across Hastings, and 6.3 inches, reported by the NWS Hastings office located four miles north of Hastings. New liquid equivalent precipitation and snowfall records were set at Hastings for January 8th. A precipitation total of 0.48 inches was measured, breaking the previous record of 0.10 inches, set in 1992, 1985, and 1918. A snowfall total of 6.1 inches was measured, breaking the previous record of 3.0 inches, set in 1987.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the county. Highest totals included 6.3 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located four miles southwest of Blue Hill, and 5.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles east of Red Cloud.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 5.4 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located at the Kearney Airport; 5.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Miller; 4.5 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Ravenna and a CoCoRaHS observer located in Gibbon.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. A local total of 5.0 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Minden.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. A local total of 5.0 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Naponee.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. Local totals included 5.5 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located two miles west of Holdrege, and 4.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Holdrege.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. Local totals included 5.3 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located one miles west of Orleans, and 5.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located at Harlan County Lake.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 4.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in North Loup; 3.5 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Ord; 3.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located two miles west of Arcadia.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 5.8 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located eight miles south-southwest of Spalding; 5.5 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Greeley; 4.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles east of Scotia.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Highest totals included 6.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Greeley, and 4.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located two miles northwest of Rockville.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. Local totals included 4.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles east-southeast of Sumner, and 2.0 inches, reported by CoCoRaHS observer located six miles southwest of Lexington. A car accident occurred the morning of January 8th on Highway 30 just east of Lexington, when one vehicle lost control and crossed the center line into an oncoming vehicle, resulting in one fatality and one injury.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county, partially based off totals from surrounding counties. Local totals included 2.7 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located eight miles south of Elwood, and 2.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located six miles south-southeast of Lexington at the Canaday Power Station.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 5.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Wilsonville; 4.5 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located six miles north-northwest of Oxford; 4.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located five miles southwest of Beaver City; 3.0 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Cambridge.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the county. Highest totals included the following: 7.5 inches, reported by the NWS official observer located near the Grand Island Airport; 6.8 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located one mile east-southeast of Doniphan; 6.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles east-northeast of Doniphan; 4.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located three miles west-southwest of Wood River. New liquid equivalent precipitation and snowfall records were set at Grand Island for January 8th. A precipitation total of 0.60 inches was measured, breaking the previous record of 0.35 inches, set in 1937. A snowfall total of 7.0 inches was measured, breaking the previous record of 4.0 inches, also set in 1937.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the county. Highest totals included 5 to 7 inches reported across Hastings, and 6.3 inches, reported by the NWS Hastings office located four miles north of Hastings. New liquid equivalent precipitation and snowfall records were set at Hastings for January 8th. A precipitation total of 0.48 inches was measured, breaking the previous record of 0.10 inches, set in 1992, 1985, and 1918. A snowfall total of 6.1 inches was measured, breaking the previous record of 3.0 inches, set in 1987.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the county. Highest totals included 6.3 inches, reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located four miles southwest of Blue Hill, and 5.0 inches, reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located four miles east of Red Cloud.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzard, Dawson | 2024-01-08 | 46 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nebraska in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Nebraska, 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: 1150999, 1151000, 1151001, 1150998, 1151002, 1150992, 1150994, 1150995, 1150996, 1150997, 1151004, 1151006, 1151008, 1151210, 1151211, 1151212, 1151213, 1151215, 1150988, 1150990, 1150991, 1151214, 1151216, 1151217, 1151003, 1151005, 1151007.