A broad area of snow began impacting much of central, south central and southeast Kansas during the afternoon of January 9. A narrow band of moderate to heavy snow developed during the evening hours generally along a Wichita to Harper line that quickly increased snow totals for locations along this corridor.
Every event with a place to put it; 12 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ICT wrote it up.
A broad area of snow began impacting much of central, south central and southeast Kansas during the afternoon of January 9. A narrow band of moderate to heavy snow developed during the evening hours generally along a Wichita to Harper line that quickly increased snow totals for locations along this corridor. By the early morning hours of January 10, many locations along the Kansas Turnpike and southwest of the Wichita metro had around 4 to 7 inches of snow on the ground. This impacted the morning commute with multiple non-injury accidents and closed schools across the Wichita metro as well as surrounding areas.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 9, 11:45 AM CST, 1 hour 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 1145 AM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Light snow expected this afternoon into tonight with the best chances (60-80%) in areas along and south of I-35. There is potential for a few (2-4) inches of snow in south central and southeast Kansas. - Freezing drizzle will be possible across central Kansas this afternoon ahead of the snow this evening. - Below normal temperatures are expected into the start of next week before a potential warm up on Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 345 AM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 Challenges: 1) High temperatures specifically in snowpack 2) Snow chances and timing this afternoon-tonight 3) Freezing drizzle potential this afternoon in central KS Changes: 1) Decreased temperatures today & Friday 2) Increased precipitation chances & snow amounts for this afternoon- tonight The wave over the Northern/Central Plains will join together with the wave coming northeast into the Southern Plains today. Precipitation is generally going to move north from Oklahoma into southern Kansas then northern Kansas. There has been a northward shift as listed as a possibility in the previous discussion, so the precipitation chances have been increased accordingly. The initial arrival of precipitation is expected in the afternoon with better chances (60-80%) through the evening and overnight; this could impact the evening commute. Snow is going to be the predominant precipitation type. Southern especially southeastern Kansas is still anticipated to see the highest snowfall accumulations with a few (2- 4) inches possible; the northward shift has prompted an increase in snowfall accumulations in south central Kansas compared to the previous forecast. Thermal profiles suggest a layer of drier air through the dendritic growth zone in central Kansas which would indicate that the event could initially start as freezing drizzle for those locations. Across central Kansas, sub-surface KDOT sensors show temperatures in the upper 20s with two inch soil temperatures from the Kansas Mesonet in the same area in the low to mid 30s. While air temperatures could be around freezing, the cold surface would likely freeze any liquid plus those temperatures would probably wetbulb below freezing as the drizzle starts. There is some uncertainty in the start of precipitation across that area and when the better moisture would push north. It wouldn't be surprising to have a northward expansion of the advisory especially with any potential for freezing drizzle given the often overlooked impact by travelers. Daytime high temperatures were decreased closer to the 25th percentile given the increasing clouds during typical peak heating. This system shifts towards the Mississippi River Valley for Friday. Temperatures are expected to be around 30 degrees to end the week with a warm up on Saturday into the 30s; the current forecast values may need to be adjusted downwards due to snowpack areawide though. Another shortwave tracks from western Canada into the western Dakotas on Saturday then moves southeast into the upper/mid Mississippi River Valley for the latter part of Sunday. Any precipitation with this system will stay well off to the north leaving the area dry. There will be minimal local influence other than reinforcing the below seasonal normal airmass already in place. There is hope for a return to near to above seasonal normal temperatures (low 40s) Wednesday and next Thursday; no precipitation is anticipated for next week. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1139 AM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 VFR late this morning is expected to rapidly deteriorate as we move through the afternoon hours. Widespread IFR/LIFR is anticipated as a storm system impacts the region. Reduced flight categories will linger through the night with several inches of snow expected across south central and southeast Kansas while lower totals are expected at KRSL, KGBD and KSLN. Snow will begin to diminish from west to east after midnight although MVFR cigs may linger through the morning hours on Friday. A cold front bisecting central Kansas late this morning will move south and east ushering in northwest winds around 10-15 knots. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM CST Friday for KSZ052-053- 067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100. && DISCUSSION...VJP AVIATION...MWM
Hazardous Weather Outlook 1141 AM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-101030- Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase- Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper- Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette- 1141 AM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Snow will develop over much of the area this afternoon and continue into tonight. Total accumulations will range from 2 to 4 inches although locally higher amounts may be possible over parts of south central Kansas. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for parts of southern and eastern Kansas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Light snow may linger into Friday morning in far southeast Kansas. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated today or tonight. && For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=ict
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
11 winter storm, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Up to 7 inches of snow was reported five miles northwest of Harper. Based other reports in the county and surrounding reports around the county, around 4 to 7 inches of snow occurred in Harper County through the duration of this event.
The highest snow total on the morning of January 10 was 7.5 inches which occurred one mile east of Park City. In general, snowfall totals ranged from 5 to 8 inches across the county. Additionally, snowy and icy road conditions were present during the main commute hours with several traffic accidents occurring; a couple of the accidents had possible minor injuries.
A snowfall total of 5.6 inches was reported about a mile north of Kingman. Based on reports around and adjacent to the county, around 3 to 6 inches of snow occurred throughout Kingman County. Additionally, a few traffic accidents occurred during snowy and icy road conditions.
A snowfall total of 5 inches was recorded near Rock. This is supported by a nearby report of 5.5 inches in Oxford (in extreme eastern Sumner County). Based on reports across the county, around 2 to 5 inches occurred across Cowley County with the heaviest amounts across the far northwest portions of the county.
A snowfall total of 6 inches was reported near Liberty. Based on additional reports, 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across Montgomery County with the highest totals occurring across the far eastern portions of the county.
A snowfall total of 6.4 inches was reported about three miles south southwest of Oswego. This is supported by other observations across Labette County between 4 and 6 inches. A few traffic accidents were noted across the county with snowy and icy road conditions present; possible minor injuries were reported with a couple of these accidents.
A snowfall total of 6.5 inches was reported about five miles north northeast of Towanda. Based on observations around the county, around 3 to 7 inches of snow fell across Butler County. The heaviest amounts occurred over the far western portion of the county.
A snowfall total of 6.5 inches was reported about one mile southwest of Haven. Based on reports across Reno County, a wide range of snowfall totals occurred with around 2 to 7 inches occurring across the county. The heaviest amounts occurred across the far southeast portion of the county.
A snow total of 5.8 inches was reported in Conway Springs. Based on other reports around the, and adjacent to, the county, around 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across Sumner County. The heaviest snow totals occurred across the western and northern portions of the county. Additionally, a couple of traffic accidents were noted with snowy and icy road conditions present.
A snowfall total of 6 inches was reported about one mile west southwest of Whitewater. Based on reports around and adjacent to the county, around 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across Harvey County. The heaviest snow totals occurred across the southern portions of the county.
A snowfall total of 4.8 inches was reported in Wonsevu. Reports across the county were sparse, but surrounding reports suggest around 2 to 5 inches of snow occurred across Chase County with the heaviest amounts occurring across the far southwest portion of the county.
Snowfall reports were sparse across Marion County with the highest report being 3 inches in Lincolnville. However, surrounding reports suggest around 2 to 4 inches of snow fell across Marion County with the highest totals across the extreme southern portions of the county.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, January 2025
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: 1242301, 1242300, 1242306, 1242587, 1242629, 1242633, 1242315, 1242585, 1242303, 1242350, 1242589, 1242603.