Event Summary: January 21-22, 2017 Blizzard

Overview

A significant blizzard impacted the region with freezing rain, snow, and strong winds on January 21^st and 22^nd. Power outages were reported in Colby as sleet and wet snow combined with gusty north winds. Widespread reports of near zero to zero visibility were received with snowfall rates at or above one inch per hour during the periods of heaviest snowfall. The first reports of one quarter mile or less visibility began coming in around 2:40PM in Yuma County, spreading eastward and southeastward through the remainder of the afternoon and evening. Blizzard conditions continued overnight Sunday, peaking in intensity early Monday morning. Most, if not all, area highways closed as there were reports of anything from stranded motorists to jackknifed semi-trucks blocking the roadways. Snowfall ended from west to east through the day on Monday; however, blowing and drifting snow persisted, making several area roads temporarily impassable.

Blizzard Summary
Photos & Video
Radar and Satellite
Storm Reports

Blizzard Summary

A potent area of low pressure moved out of the central Rockies on Sunday, January 21^st. The system was well advertised with good model agreement regarding the track and strength. Most areas observed freezing rain Sunday morning through around midday, when precipitation began transitioning to snow from northwest to southeast. A series of strong snow bands, some convective, formed and slowly moved eastward through Sunday evening and into the overnight hours into Monday. Snowfall rates of one inch per hour or higher were common along with strong north winds. Sustained winds were around 40 miles per hour with the highest gust of 58 miles per hour reported by the ASOS station in Goodland, KS. Snowfall amounts of one to three inches were reported in the eastern portions of the region near Hill City with slightly higher amounts in Norton. Further west, much higher amounts ranging from 9 to 14 inches were reported with the highest amounts occurring north of Interstate 70. Blowing and drifting snow was common and drifts of 3 to 5 feet were reported in several locations, especially in northwest Sherman County and much of Cheyenne County in Kansas. Snow continued to blow and drift long after the snow ended from west to east on Monday.

Here is an image depicting the estimated storm total snowfall from this blizzard:

Photos & Video:


East of Trenton, NE Courtesy: Mary Williams	Benkelman, NE Courtesy: Deb Stamm	10S Brewster, KS Courtesy: Bonnie Holm


Goodland, KS Courtesy: Brandon Vincent	Norton, KS Courtesy: Caleb Wilson	Burlington, CO Courtesy: Cyndi Myrick


4W Colby, KS Courtesy: Dustin & Brittany Kibel	Wray, CO Courtesy: Jennifer Jones	5E McDonald, KS Courtesy: Lacy Sremek


12NNW Ruleton, KS Courtesy: Micheal leonard	NWS Goodland, KS Courtesy: Timothy Lynch	NWS Goodland, KS Courtesy: Timothy Lynch


7SW Yuma, CO Courtesy: Peggi Fulton	NE Yuma County, CO Courtesy: Shanda McAllister	2E Max, NE Courtesy: Stephanie S.


NW Cheyenne County, KS Courtesy: Christopher Warner	Angelus, KS Courtesy: Tabbiy Anne	3W Culbertson, NE Courtesy: William Hanke

Radar and Satellite:


Light snow and freezing drizzle begins. 1/21 at 6:23 am MST	Light snow and freezing drizzle expands. 1/21 at 9:51 am MST	Band of moderate snow beginning to shape up. 1/21 at 1:31 pm MST


Band of moderate to heavy snow expanding. 1/21 at 3:33 pm MST	Widespread moderate to heavy snow. 1/21 at 5:00 pm MST	Snow not as heavy, but blizzard conditions observed. 1/21 at 8:34 pm MST


Light snow and blizzard conditions persist. 1/21 at 11:31 pm MST	Snow decreasing in intensity. 1/22 at 2:27 am MST	Storm begins winding down. 1/22 at 5:32 am MST

Loop of estimated snow depth.

Storm Reports

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORTS...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
510 AM MST SUN JAN 21 2018

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

0508 AM     FREEZING RAIN    OAKLEY                  39.13N 100.85W
01/21/2018  U0.00 INCH       LOGAN              KS   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE COATING EVERYTHING IN TOWN. 27F 
            CURRENTLY.

1006 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST BURLINGTON              39.31N 102.27W
01/21/2018  M53 MPH          KIT CARSON         CO   ASOS    

1126 AM     FREEZING RAIN    1 N GOODLAND            39.36N 101.71W
01/21/2018  M0.10 INCH       SHERMAN            KS   ASOS            

            MEASURED BY ICE ACCUMULATION SENSOR AT GOODLAND ASOS. 
            MANUAL OBSERVATION BY NWS CONFIRMS AMOUNTS ON ELEVATED 
            SURFACES.UNTREATED SIDEWALKS AND ROADS COVERED WITH LAYER
            OF ICE.

1223 PM     FREEZING RAIN    1 E ST. FRANCIS         39.77N 101.78W
01/21/2018  E0.38 INCH       CHEYENNE           KS   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            3/8 INCH OF ICE ESTIMATED ON TREES. 

1242 PM     SNOW             YUMA                    40.12N 102.72W
01/21/2018  M3.0 INCH        YUMA               CO   EMERGENCY MNGR  

0140 PM     FREEZING RAIN    ST. FRANCIS             39.77N 101.80W
01/21/2018  E0.25 INCH       CHEYENNE           KS   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            1/4 INCH ICE ACCUMULATION ESTIMATED. RELAYED BY EMERGENCY
            MANAGER. ALSO REPORTED POWER FLICKERING. 

0145 PM     SNOW             4 W ST. FRANCIS         39.77N 101.88W
01/21/2018  M2.0 INCH        CHEYENNE           KS   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0240 PM     SNOW             YUMA                    40.12N 102.72W
01/21/2018  M5.5 INCH        YUMA               CO   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            ONE QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY AT BEST. 

0330 PM     SNOW             GOODLAND                39.35N 101.71W
01/21/2018  M1.0 INCH        SHERMAN            KS   COCORAHS        

            ONE INCH OF SNOWFALL IN THE PAST 60 MINUTES. VISIBILITY 
            ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIME OF OBSERVATION.

0357 PM     SNOW             1 E ST. FRANCIS         39.77N 101.78W
01/21/2018  E4.0 INCH        CHEYENNE           KS   PUBLIC          

            RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. 

0423 PM     SNOW             YUMA                    40.12N 102.72W
01/21/2018  M7.0 INCH        YUMA               CO   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            SOME DRIFTING REPORTED. 

0424 PM     SNOW             BENKELMAN               40.05N 101.54W
01/21/2018  M3.8 INCH        DUNDY              NE   PUBLIC          

            RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. 

0430 PM     SNOW             GOODLAND                39.35N 101.71W
01/21/2018  M2.2 INCH        SHERMAN            KS   COCORAHS        

            2.2 INCHES OF SNOW ON GROUND. 1.2 INCHES OF SNOW IN THE 
            LAST HOUR. VISIBILITY APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF MILE. 

0500 PM     BLIZZARD         10 S HAIGLER            39.87N 101.94W
01/21/2018                   CHEYENNE           KS   PUBLIC          

            ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS VISIBILITY. RELAYED VIA SOCIAL 
            MEDIA WITH PICTURE. 

0535 PM     SNOW             1 E ST. FRANCIS         39.77N 101.78W
01/21/2018  E6.0 INCH        CHEYENNE           KS   PUBLIC          

            ESTIMATED 5 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW. LARGEST DRIFT IN YARD IS
            16 INCHES.

0602 PM     BLIZZARD         BURLINGTON              39.31N 102.27W
01/21/2018                   KIT CARSON         CO   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            VISIBILITY IS ABOUT 1 TO 2 CITY BLOCKS AT BEST. 

0615 PM     BLIZZARD         COLBY                   39.39N 101.05W
01/21/2018                   THOMAS             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            COMBINATION OF WET SNOW AND SLEET IN COLBY. POWER OUTAGES
            HAVE OCCURRED IN PORTIONS OF COLBY.

0637 PM     SNOW             9 NNE KIT CARSON        38.88N 102.73W
01/21/2018  M4.0 INCH        CHEYENNE           CO   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0640 PM     BLIZZARD         ST. FRANCIS             39.77N 101.80W
01/21/2018                   CHEYENNE           KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY IN CHEYENNE COUNTY, KANSAS. RELAYED 
            BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. 

0700 PM     SNOW             ST. FRANCIS             39.77N 101.80W
01/21/2018  M7.5 INCH        CHEYENNE           KS   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            2 FOOT DRIFTS WITH SOME APPROACHING 3 FEET. 

0740 PM     SNOW             BENKELMAN               40.05N 101.54W
01/21/2018  M6.0 INCH        DUNDY              NE   PUBLIC          

            RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

0813 PM     SNOW             OAKLEY                  39.13N 100.85W
01/21/2018  E1.5 INCH        LOGAN              KS   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            1.5 INCH OF SNOW AND SLEET ACCUMULATION. MODERATE SNOW 
            FALLING AT TIME OF OBSERVATION.

0841 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 9 NNE KIT CARSON        38.88N 102.73W
01/21/2018  M40 MPH          CHEYENNE           CO   MESONET  

0925 PM     SNOW             13 NNW EDSON            39.50N 101.63W
01/21/2018  M6.5 INCH        SHERMAN            KS   NWS EMPLOYEE    

0941 PM     BLIZZARD         ST. FRANCIS             39.77N 101.80W
01/21/2018                   CHEYENNE           KS   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED THAT HE HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE 
            REPORTS ZERO VISIBILITY IN CHEYENNE AND RAWLINS COUNTIES 
            IN KANSAS.

0945 PM     SNOW             11 NNW ST. FRANCIS      39.92N 101.88W
01/21/2018  E14.0 INCH       CHEYENNE           KS   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            EMERGENCY MANAGER RECEIVED AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT OF 14 
            INCHES OF SNOW.

1055 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST WRAY                    40.08N 102.23W
01/21/2018  M40.00 MPH       YUMA               CO   AWOS            

1129 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 9 WNW ST. FRANCIS       39.81N 101.97W
01/21/2018  M37.00 MPH       CHEYENNE           KS   MESONET         

1256 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST LEOTI                   38.48N 101.36W
01/22/2018  M49.00 MPH       WICHITA            KS   MESONET         

0102 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST GOODLAND                39.35N 101.71W
01/22/2018  M58.00 MPH          SHERMAN         KS   ASOS       

0200 AM     SNOW             NORTON                  39.84N 99.89W 
01/22/2018  M2.5 INCH        NORTON             KS   PUBLIC          

            SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT FROM PUBLIC OF 2.5 INCHES OF SNOW IN 
            NORTON, KANSAS AS OF 3AM CST / 2AM MST. 

0307 AM     SNOW             1 E ST. FRANCIS         39.77N 101.78W
01/22/2018  M11.0 INCH       CHEYENNE           KS   PUBLIC          

            REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA STATING, 1 MILE EAST OF ST. 
            FRANCIS 11 INCHES OF SNOWFALL ON THE GROUND WITH SNOW 
            DRIFTS UPWARDS OF 3 FT AT 307 AM MST / 407 AM CST. 

0312 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SE WESKAN             38.82N 101.93W
01/22/2018  M53 MPH          WALLACE            KS   MESONET     

0315 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 8 NNW STRATTON NE       40.26N 101.28W
01/22/2018  M34.00 MPH       HITCHCOCK          NE   MESONET         

0319 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST ATWOOD                  39.81N 101.04W
01/22/2018  M52.00 MPH       RAWLINS            KS   AWOS            

0319 AM     BLIZZARD         GOODLAND                39.35N 101.71W
01/22/2018                   SHERMAN            KS   ASOS            

            AT 319 AM MST, ASOS AT WFO GOODLAND REPORTED A SUSTAINED 
            WIND OF 40 MPH, GUSTS TO 58 MPH, AND 1/4 MILE VISIBILITY.

0359 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST OBERLIN                 39.82N 100.53W
01/22/2018  M33.00 MPH       DECATUR            KS   AWOS            

0431 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST MCCOOK                  40.20N 100.62W
01/22/2018  M54.00 MPH       RED WILLOW         NE   ASOS            

0439 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 9 SSE SHARON SPRINGS    38.77N 101.68W
01/22/2018  M50.00 MPH       WALLACE            KS   MESONET         

0442 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 N COLBY               39.45N 101.05W
01/22/2018  M46.00 MPH       THOMAS             KS   MESONET         

0448 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 S DANBURY             40.00N 100.40W
01/22/2018  M46.00 MPH       DECATUR            KS   MESONET         

0520 AM     SNOW             CULBERTSON              40.23N 100.84W
01/22/2018  M10.0 INCH       HITCHCOCK          NE   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            BLIZZARD CONDITIONS STILL ONGOING. LOW VISIBILITY.

0528 AM     SNOW             OAKLEY                  39.13N 100.85W
01/22/2018  M4.0 INCH        LOGAN              KS   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            STORM TOTAL SO FAR

0529 AM     BLIZZARD         OAKLEY                  39.13N 100.85W
01/22/2018                   LOGAN              KS   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            HIGHWAYS 83 AND 40 ARE CLOSED. SEMI TRUCK BLOCKING BOTH 
            LANES ON HIGHWAY 83. STRANDED MOTORIST ON HIGHWAY 40 
            AFTER CLOSURE. LOGAN COUNTY WITH ABOUT 400 PEOPLE NO 
            POWER.

0533 AM     SNOW             GOODLAND                39.35N 101.71W
01/22/2018  M9.0 INCH        SHERMAN            KS   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            MEASURED AT NWS GOODLAND

0550 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST NORTON                  39.84N 99.89W 
01/22/2018  M41.00 MPH       NORTON             KS   AWOS            

0559 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 E TRIBUNE             38.47N 101.66W
01/22/2018  M48.00 MPH       GREELEY            KS   MESONET         

0600 AM     SNOW             4 W GOVE                38.96N 100.56W
01/22/2018  M1.4 INCH        GOVE               KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0600 AM     SNOW             GRAINFIELD              39.11N 100.47W
01/22/2018  M1.0 INCH        GOVE               KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0600 AM     SNOW             DRESDEN                 39.62N 100.42W
01/22/2018  E2.0 INCH        DECATUR            KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0600 AM     SNOW             2 N DENSMORE            39.67N 99.74W 
01/22/2018  E2.0 INCH        NORTON             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0600 AM     SNOW             4 W OAKLEY              39.13N 100.93W
01/22/2018  M5.0 INCH        LOGAN              KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0600 AM     SNOW             1 E HILL CITY           39.37N 99.83W 
01/22/2018  M2.0 INCH        GRAHAM             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0623 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST HILL CITY               39.37N 99.85W 
01/22/2018  M54.00 MPH       GRAHAM             KS   ASOS            

0640 AM     SNOW             9 NNE KIT CARSON        38.88N 102.73W
01/22/2018  M4.5 INCH        CHEYENNE           CO   CO-OP OBSERVER  

            4.5 INCHES OF SNOW FALL AT 640 AM MST. 

0640 AM     SNOW             QUINTER                 39.07N 100.23W
01/22/2018  M2.0 INCH        GOVE               KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

            2 INCHES OF SNOW MEASURED. 

0700 AM     SNOW             6 SSW VONA              39.22N 102.79W
01/22/2018  M6.0 INCH        KIT CARSON         CO   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             8 NNE BURLINGTON        39.41N 102.21W
01/22/2018  M8.0 INCH        KIT CARSON         CO   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             6 NW PARK               39.17N 100.44W
01/22/2018  M10.0 INCH       SHERIDAN           KS   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             NE OAKLEY               39.13N 100.85W
01/22/2018  M4.0 INCH        LOGAN              KS   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             NNW COLBY               39.39N 101.05W
01/22/2018  M6.0 INCH        THOMAS             KS   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             10 WNW GOODLAND         39.40N 101.88W
01/22/2018  M8.5 INCH        SHERMAN            KS   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             11 NNE GOODLAND         39.50N 101.63W
01/22/2018  M8.0 INCH        SHERMAN            KS   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             NNW TRAER               39.93N 100.65W
01/22/2018  M2.5 INCH        DECATUR            KS   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             NORTON                  39.84N 99.89W 
01/22/2018  M6.8 INCH        NORTON             KS   PUBLIC          

0700 AM     SNOW             SHARON SPRINGS          38.89N 101.75W
01/22/2018  M5.0 INCH        WALLACE            KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0700 AM     SNOW             IDALIA                  39.70N 102.30W
01/22/2018  M8.1 INCH        YUMA               CO   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0700 AM     SNOW             N STRATTON              39.30N 102.60W
01/22/2018  M5.0 INCH        KIT CARSON         CO   COCORAHS        

0700 AM     SNOW             4 E VERNON              39.93N 102.24W
01/22/2018  M10.0 INCH       YUMA               CO   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0700 AM     SNOW             1 W TRIBUNE             38.47N 101.77W
01/22/2018  E5.0 INCH        GREELEY            KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0700 AM     SNOW             WALLACE                 38.91N 101.59W
01/22/2018  M3.2 INCH        WALLACE            KS   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0700 AM     SNOW             6 N WILD HORSE          38.91N 103.00W
01/22/2018  M2.0 INCH        CHEYENNE           CO   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0700 AM     SNOW             6 NW PARKS              40.10N 101.81W
01/22/2018  M10.0 INCH       DUNDY              NE   COCORAHS      

0713 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 ESE GOVE              38.93N 100.40W
01/22/2018  M53.00 MPH       GOVE               KS   MESONET     

0800 AM     SNOW             MCCOOK                  40.20N 100.62W
01/22/2018  M10.0 INCH       RED WILLOW         NE   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0925 AM     SNOW             13 NNW EDSON            39.50N 101.63W
01/22/2018  M10.0 INCH       SHERMAN            KS   NWS EMPLOYEE  

1000 AM     SNOW             7 NW ATWOOD             39.88N 101.13W
01/22/2018  M11.2 INCH       RAWLINS            KS   PUBLIC          
 
1020 AM     SNOW             4 E HOXIE               39.36N 100.36W
01/22/2018  E4.0 INCH        SHERIDAN           KS   PUBLIC          

            ESIMATED 3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW.

1115 AM     SNOW             8 NNW STRATTON NE       40.26N 101.28W
01/22/2018  M13.0 INCH       HITCHCOCK          NE   TRAINED SPOTTER 

1130 AM     SNOW             3 W CULBERTSON          40.23N 100.90W
01/22/2018  M10.0 INCH       HITCHCOCK          NE   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0358 PM     SNOW             12 NNW RULETON          39.50N 101.97W
01/22/2018  M13.0 INCH       SHERMAN            KS   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            13 INCHES OF SNOW. LIQUID EQUIVALENT 1.03 INCHES. DRIFTS 
            AROUND 5 FEET TALL.

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