January 8-9, 2024 crippling winter storm!

Overview

One of the most impactful winter storms to affect Kansas in a very long time struck on January 8th and 9th when an intense low pressure system tracked east across the region. Blizzard conditions impacted much of western and central Kansas during the day on Monday January 8th with 60 mph winds and near zero visibility. As the low pressure system tracked east, high winds and snow impacted south central and eastern Kansas during the overnight hours.

Almost all roads were closed across the western half of Kansas by Monday evening, including I-70 west of Salina to the Colorado border. Kansas Highway Patrol responded to nearly 100 calls from motorists during the storm. Strong winds and heavy snow also caused numerous power outages across the region. With the exception of far southeast Kansas, most schools across Kansas cancelled classes, many for a few days.

The highest snowfall amounts were generally in the 8 to 12 inch range with these higher amounts generally along and south of I-70 and north of Highway 400.

Picture by Kevin Darmofal

Photos & Video
Storm Reports
Environment

Photos & Video

Map of snow amounts

Water vapor satellite imagery of the storm system


Map showing the number of road closures (red)	Look at road conditions around 3 am on Jan 9th	I-70 near Russell on the evening of Jan 8th

Here are photos of the ruler in the snow. And a good look at the ruler out of the snow. Because apparently it doesn't count if you don't use a ruler. I got the same measurement in 5 locations around my house (front & backyard) 7 ¼ inches. NW Hutchinson #kswx @NWSWichita @KWCH12 pic.twitter.com/OumNE6bNRQ — Kellie Swain (@KellieS23) January 9, 2024	North of sylvan grove pic.twitter.com/HkonAH2TXq — Damon Vonada (@vonada_damon) January 9, 2024	#kswx #67053 not a drift. measured 3 times. all was 9.5-10". @KWCHRoss @LisaTeachman @CamVenableKAKE @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/drnXuwsJiS — myrla, cat (@myrla_cat) January 9, 2024
Finally got back home to get my measurements, we got about 4-4.5 inches of snow here on the north side of El Dorado @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/iiHXY0X59B — Jaydon Shaw (@JaydonShawwx) January 9, 2024	Snow drifts at our hotel in Lyons are taller than my knees! The gusty winds have made it hard to get an exact snowfall measurement. There is a layer of ice under the snow coating the parking lot. @KSNNews @KSNStormTrack3 #kswx @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/9AMqcaPkhL — Meteorologist Lucy Doll (@LucyDollWx) January 9, 2024	11:30 pm update: 6 inches of snow Lindsborg, Ks @NWSWichita @FrankWaughKAKE @KWCHRoss pic.twitter.com/aWEqEnAvIR — Jacob Burgardt (@JacobBurgardtWX) January 9, 2024

As of 1120 pm - 2” of new snow in NW #Wichita on the lake at Ridgeport. North wind beginning to gust over 30 mph. #ICTwx #kswx @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/hLMqdfgMSK — Kevin Darmofal (@THUNDR1) January 9, 2024	5" here 5 miles NE of Moundridge. Still coming down hard. #kswx @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/l4BoboSv8C — Jerod Kaufman (@jayrodw_20) January 9, 2024	At 10:15 in Lindsborg, it’s 28° with howling 28mph NW winds, gusting to 35 & giving us an 18° windchill. Blowing snow is cutting visibility to about a 1/4 mile & our lights are occasionally flickering. I ventured out and measured snow around the yard at 4”-6”. #kswx @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/phSXI7wrJK — Mike Rose (@SaxmanTDS) January 9, 2024
@NWSWichita Kingman , Kansas as of 8:33PM. pic.twitter.com/7nEZetorh1 — Austin Crutcher (@thunderpa57) January 9, 2024	@KWCH12 @KAKEnews @NWSWichita this was taken at 8:12pm CST in Lincoln KS from my back porch. Estimated 40mph with snow blowing around. No drifts as I could see quite yet. pic.twitter.com/AQJ1biuw4C — Gregory K. (@gKoelzer95) January 9, 2024	Conditions are rapidly deteriorating near Lindsborg Kansas about what looks to be 1 inch/hr + snow fall rates. As of now snow fall amount is about 1.25 inches @NWSWichita #kswx pic.twitter.com/KyujxBYO3Z — Jacob Burgardt (@JacobBurgardtWX) January 9, 2024

Storm Reports


PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
737 PM CST TUE JAN 9 2024

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

0752 PM     SNOW             SALINA                  38.82N 97.62W
01/08/2024  M4.0 INCH        SALINE             KS   PUBLIC


0822 PM     SNOW             CLAFLIN                 38.52N 98.54W
01/08/2024  M7.0 INCH        BARTON             KS   PUBLIC


0845 PM     SNOW             KINGMAN                 37.65N 98.11W
01/08/2024  M2.0 INCH        KINGMAN            KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            SNOW STARTED AT 6:15PM. SNOW AMOUNT THUS
            FAR.

0850 PM     SNOW             MCPHERSON               38.37N 97.66W
01/08/2024  M3.0 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   BROADCAST MEDIA

            KSKU RADIO REPORTING 3 INCHES OF SNOW THUS
            FAR ON THE EASTERN EDGE OF DOWNTOWN.

0916 PM     SNOW             MARION                  38.35N 97.02W
01/08/2024  M1.5 INCH        MARION             KS   911 CALL CENTER

            CURRENT SNOW AMOUNT THUS FAR.

1000 PM     SNOW             MCPHERSON               38.37N 97.66W
01/08/2024  M5.5 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   NWS EMPLOYEE

            OFF DUTY NWS EMPLOYEE REPORETED 5.5 INCHES.

1001 PM     SNOW             3 N HUTCHINSON          38.11N 97.91W
01/08/2024  M6.0 INCH        RENO               KS   PUBLIC


1019 PM     SNOW             SALINA                  38.82N 97.62W
01/08/2024  M6.8 INCH        SALINE             KS   PUBLIC


1042 PM     SNOW             KINGMAN                 37.65N 98.11W
01/08/2024  M4.0 INCH        KINGMAN            KS   CO-OP OBSERVER


1045 PM     SNOW             1 NW HUTCHINSON         38.08N 97.93W
01/08/2024  M7.3 INCH        RENO               KS   PUBLIC


1100 PM     SNOW             MCPHERSON               38.37N 97.66W
01/08/2024  M7.0 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   BROADCAST MEDIA

            KSKU RADIO REPORTED 7 INCHES OF SNOW THUS
            FAR.

1141 PM     SNOW             LINDSBORG               38.57N 97.67W
01/08/2024  M6.0 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   TRAINED SPOTTER


1200 AM     SNOW             WICHITA NWS OFFICE      37.66N 97.44W
01/09/2024  M2.0 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   OFFICIAL NWS OBS


1203 AM     SNOW             MARION                  38.35N 97.02W
01/09/2024  M6.5 INCH        MARION             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR


0600 AM     SNOW             2 NE WINFIELD           37.29N 96.94W
01/09/2024  M1.0 INCH        COWLEY             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

0600 AM     SNOW             CAMBRIDGE               37.31N 96.66W
01/09/2024  M1.0 INCH        COWLEY             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER


0600 AM     SNOW             WICHITA NWS OFFICE      37.65N 97.44W
01/09/2024  M3.0 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   OFFICIAL NWS OBS


0600 AM     SNOW             SYLVIA                  37.96N 98.41W
01/09/2024  M6.0 INCH        RENO               KS   COCORAHS


0605 AM     SNOW             ARKANSAS CITY           37.07N 97.04W
01/09/2024  M1.0 INCH        COWLEY             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.

0645 AM     SNOW             2 WNW HUTCHINSON        38.08N 97.94W
01/09/2024  M7.8 INCH        RENO               KS   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.

0653 AM     SNOW             1 N GODDARD             37.67N 97.58W
01/09/2024  M3.2 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   NWS EMPLOYEE


0700 AM     SNOW             4 SW CONWAY SPRINGS     37.35N 97.70W
01/09/2024  M0.5 INCH        SUMNER             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.

0700 AM     SNOW             MORAN                   37.92N 95.17W
01/09/2024  M1.5 INCH        ALLEN              KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.

0700 AM     SNOW             2 NNE WICHITA EISENHOWE 37.69N 97.43W
01/09/2024  M1.7 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             ANTHONY                 37.15N 98.03W
01/09/2024  M1.7 INCH        HARPER             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.

0700 AM     SNOW             EL DORADO               37.82N 96.86W
01/09/2024  M2.3 INCH        BUTLER             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.

0700 AM     SNOW             CALDWELL                37.04N 97.61W
01/09/2024  M2.5 INCH        SUMNER             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.

0700 AM     SNOW             1 WNW ROSALIA           37.82N 96.64W
01/09/2024  M3.6 INCH        BUTLER             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER


0700 AM     SNOW             PENALOSA                37.72N 98.32W
01/09/2024  M4.0 INCH        KINGMAN            KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             2 SE SALINA             38.79N 97.59W
01/09/2024  M4.5 INCH        SALINE             KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             MOUNT HOPE              37.87N 97.66W
01/09/2024  M5.0 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   CO-OP OBSERVER


0700 AM     SNOW             LINCOLN                 39.04N 98.15W
01/09/2024  M5.0 INCH        LINCOLN            KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR SNOW TOTAL.

0700 AM     SNOW             1 E WILSON              38.83N 98.46W
01/09/2024  M5.0 INCH        ELLSWORTH          KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             3 ENE SALINA            38.83N 97.57W
01/09/2024  M5.5 INCH        SALINE             KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             1 NW MCPHERSON          38.38N 97.67W
01/09/2024  M5.6 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             4 NNW ZENDA             37.50N 98.31W
01/09/2024  M5.7 INCH        KINGMAN            KS   CO-OP OBSERVER


0700 AM     SNOW             NEWTON                  38.04N 97.34W
01/09/2024  M6.0 INCH        HARVEY             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR TOTAL SNOWFALL.

0700 AM     SNOW             7 WSW MCPHERSON         38.33N 97.78W
01/09/2024  M7.0 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             5 S HILLSBORO           38.28N 97.19W
01/09/2024  M7.0 INCH        MARION             KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             5 NW HALSTEAD           38.06N 97.56W
01/09/2024  M7.5 INCH        HARVEY             KS   COCORAHS


0700 AM     SNOW             LINDSBORG               38.57N 97.67W
01/09/2024  M8.7 INCH        MCPHERSON          KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.

0700 AM     SNOW             STERLING                38.21N 98.21W
01/09/2024  M11.0 INCH       RICE               KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.

0700 AM     SNOW             MCPHERSON               38.37N 97.66W
01/09/2024  M12.0 INCH       MCPHERSON          KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.

0708 AM     SNOW             VALLEY CENTER           37.84N 97.37W
01/09/2024  M4.0 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.

0710 AM     SNOW             BENTLEY                 37.89N 97.52W
01/09/2024  M3.0 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.

0713 AM     SNOW             1 WNW EAST WICHITA      37.69N 97.28W
01/09/2024  M3.2 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED VIA TWITTER.

0800 AM     SNOW             4 N CLEARWATER          37.56N 97.52W
01/09/2024  M1.7 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   COCORAHS


0800 AM     SNOW             COTTONWOOD FALLS        38.37N 96.54W
01/09/2024  M6.0 INCH        CHASE              KS   CO-OP OBSERVER

            24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.

0817 AM     SNOW             7 W PRETTY PRAIRIE      37.77N 98.15W
01/09/2024  M5.0 INCH        RENO               KS   COCORAHS


0827 AM     SNOW             RUSSELL                 38.89N 98.85W
01/09/2024  M8.5 INCH        RUSSELL            KS   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE


0900 AM     SNOW             1 NNE GALESBURG         37.49N 95.35W
01/09/2024  M1.0 INCH        NEOSHO             KS   CO-OP OBSERVER


0916 AM     SNOW             KECHI                   37.80N 97.28W
01/09/2024  M3.0 INCH        SEDGWICK           KS   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.

0934 AM     SNOW             3 NE WINFIELD           37.30N 96.93W
01/09/2024  M1.0 INCH        COWLEY             KS   COCORAHS


1226 PM     SNOW             EUREKA                  37.82N 96.29W
01/09/2024  M2.0 INCH        GREENWOOD          KS   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.

0416 PM     SNOW             GOESSEL                 38.25N 97.35W
01/09/2024  M10.0 INCH       MARION             KS   PUBLIC

            24HR STORM TOTAL.


&&

THE TOTALS BELOW ARE SEPARATED INTO SNOW...AND ICE AND SLEET
CATEGORIES...THEN BY AMOUNT...AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE
FINAL AMOUNT FOR EACH LOCATION.


SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT

 INCHES  LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
 ------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
 12.00   MCPHERSON                KS  MCPHERSON        0700 AM
                 24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.
 11.00   STERLING                 KS  RICE             0700 AM
                 24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.
 10.00   GOESSEL                  KS  MARION           0416 PM
                 24HR STORM TOTAL.
  8.70   LINDSBORG                KS  MCPHERSON        0700 AM
                 IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.
  8.50   RUSSELL                  KS  RUSSELL          0827 AM

  7.80   2 WNW HUTCHINSON         KS  RENO             0645 AM
                 REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.
  7.50   5 NW HALSTEAD            KS  HARVEY           0700 AM
  7.30   1 NW HUTCHINSON          KS  RENO             1045 PM

  7.00   5 S HILLSBORO            KS  MARION           0700 AM
  7.00   7 WSW MCPHERSON          KS  MCPHERSON        0700 AM
  7.00   MCPHERSON                KS  MCPHERSON        1100 PM
                 KSKU RADIO REPORTED 7 INCHES OF SNOW THUS
                 FAR.
  7.00   CLAFLIN                  KS  BARTON           0822 PM

  6.80   SALINA                   KS  SALINE           1019 PM

  6.50   MARION                   KS  MARION           1203 AM

  6.00   COTTONWOOD FALLS         KS  CHASE            0800 AM
                 24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.
  6.00   NEWTON                   KS  HARVEY           0700 AM
                 24 HOUR TOTAL SNOWFALL.
  6.00   SYLVIA                   KS  RENO             0600 AM
  6.00   LINDSBORG                KS  MCPHERSON        1141 PM

  6.00   3 N HUTCHINSON           KS  RENO             1001 PM

  5.70   4 NNW ZENDA              KS  KINGMAN          0700 AM
  5.60   1 NW MCPHERSON           KS  MCPHERSON        0700 AM
  5.50   3 ENE SALINA             KS  SALINE           0700 AM
  5.50   MCPHERSON                KS  MCPHERSON        1000 PM
                 OFF DUTY NWS EMPLOYEE REPORETED 5.5 INCHES.
  5.00   7 W PRETTY PRAIRIE       KS  RENO             0817 AM
  5.00   1 E WILSON               KS  ELLSWORTH        0700 AM
  5.00   LINCOLN                  KS  LINCOLN          0700 AM
                 24 HOUR SNOW TOTAL.
  5.00   MOUNT HOPE               KS  SEDGWICK         0700 AM
  4.50   2 SE SALINA              KS  SALINE           0700 AM
  4.00   VALLEY CENTER            KS  SEDGWICK         0708 AM
                 REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.
  4.00   PENALOSA                 KS  KINGMAN          0700 AM
  4.00   KINGMAN                  KS  KINGMAN          1042 PM

  4.00   SALINA                   KS  SALINE           0752 PM

  3.60   1 WNW ROSALIA            KS  BUTLER           0700 AM
  3.20   1 WNW EAST WICHITA       KS  SEDGWICK         0713 AM
                 REPORT RECEIVED VIA TWITTER.
  3.20   1 N GODDARD              KS  SEDGWICK         0653 AM

  3.00   KECHI                    KS  SEDGWICK         0916 AM
                 REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.
  3.00   BENTLEY                  KS  SEDGWICK         0710 AM
                 REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.
  3.00   WICHITA NWS OFFICE       KS  SEDGWICK         0600 AM
  3.00   MCPHERSON                KS  MCPHERSON        0850 PM
                 KSKU RADIO REPORTING 3 INCHES OF SNOW THUS
                 FAR ON THE EASTERN EDGE OF DOWNTOWN.
  2.50   CALDWELL                 KS  SUMNER           0700 AM
                 24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.
  2.30   EL DORADO                KS  BUTLER           0700 AM
                 24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.
  2.00   EUREKA                   KS  GREENWOOD        1226 PM
                 REPORT RECEIVED VIA FACEBOOK.
  2.00   WICHITA NWS OFFICE       KS  SEDGWICK         1200 AM

  2.00   KINGMAN                  KS  KINGMAN          0845 PM
                 SNOW STARTED AT 6
  1.70   4 N CLEARWATER           KS  SEDGWICK         0800 AM
  1.70   ANTHONY                  KS  HARPER           0700 AM
                 IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.
  1.70   2 NNE WICHITA EISENHOWE  KS  SEDGWICK         0700 AM
  1.50   MORAN                    KS  ALLEN            0700 AM
                 24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.
  1.50   MARION                   KS  MARION           0916 PM
                 CURRENT SNOW AMOUNT THUS FAR.
  1.00   3 NE WINFIELD            KS  COWLEY           0934 AM
  1.00   1 NNE GALESBURG          KS  NEOSHO           0900 AM
  1.00   ARKANSAS CITY            KS  COWLEY           0605 AM
                 24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL.
  1.00   CAMBRIDGE                KS  COWLEY           0600 AM
  1.00   2 NE WINFIELD            KS  COWLEY           0600 AM
  0.50   4 SW CONWAY SPRINGS      KS  SUMNER           0700 AM
                 IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.

Environment and additional information

Radar animation from this event.


Surface map animation	500mb chart animation	700mb chart animation

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