A cold front will cross the Great Lakes and Northeast U.S. through Monday with gusty winds and areas of rain showers. A strong atmospheric river is expected to move into the Pacific Northwest by midweek bringing a threat for moderate to heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and mountain snows for parts of Washington, Oregon, northern California, and the Sierra Nevada. Read More >
Overview
Snow began initially across the northwest Sandhills during the early morning hours Sunday, and continued through around noon Sunday. That area of snow began to diminish early afternoon, as a new area developed across southwest into central Nebraska mid to late afternoon. Sunday night into Monday, this became a strong and mature system, dropping a wide swath of heavy snow ranging from 8 to 12 inches. Combined with northwest winds of 20 to 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph, significant blowing and drifting occurred. Snow drifts up to 3 to 5 feet were reported. Some roads became closed, especially county roads.Photos:
 |
 |
 |
 |
| south of North Platte (photo by John Stoppkotte) |
north of North Platte (photo by Kelly Allen) |
NWS North Platte |
north of North Platte (photo by Kelly Allen) |
 |
 |
 |
|
| south of North Platte (photo by John Stoppkotte) |
North Platte (photo by Teresa Keck) |
North Platte (photo by Teresa Keck) |
Radar:
Radar loop from midnight Sunday to noon Monday CST
Pink outline: Winter Storm Warning ; Red outline: Blizzard Warning
radar archive courtesy of the Iowa Environmental Mesonet
Storm Reports
.png)
Map compiled from storm reports (public, cooperative observer, and official NWS observations) and radar estimates
List of snow and wind reports:
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0105 PM SNOW LEWELLEN 41.33N 102.14W
01/21/2018 E3.5 INCH GARDEN NE PUBLIC
0105 PM HEAVY SNOW GRANT 40.84N 101.73W
01/21/2018 E6.0 INCH PERKINS NE PUBLIC
0105 PM SNOW 5 W STAPLETON 41.48N 100.61W
01/21/2018 M5.0 INCH LOGAN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0105 PM SNOW 8 WSW CALLAWAY 41.25N 100.06W
01/21/2018 M5.1 INCH CUSTER NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STILL SNOWING PRETTY GOOD
0105 PM HEAVY SNOW N ELLSWORTH 42.06N 102.29W
01/21/2018 E6.0 INCH SHERIDAN NE PUBLIC
0105 PM HEAVY SNOW IMPERIAL 40.52N 101.64W
01/21/2018 M6.5 INCH CHASE NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STILL SNOWING PRETTY GOOD. 1/2 MILE VISIBILITY
0118 PM SNOW 4 W BIG SPRINGS 41.06N 102.15W
01/21/2018 M4.0 INCH DEUEL NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0118 PM SNOW 4 W BIG SPRINGS 41.06N 102.15W
01/21/2018 M4.0 INCH DEUEL NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0118 PM SNOW 10 NE OSHKOSH 41.51N 102.21W
01/21/2018 M1.0 INCH GARDEN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0118 PM SNOW 4 W BIG SPRINGS 41.06N 102.15W
01/21/2018 M4.0 INCH DEUEL NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0524 PM SNOW 10 NE OSHKOSH 41.51N 102.21W
01/21/2018 M3.0 INCH GARDEN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
VISIBILITY 3/8 TO 1/2 OF A MILE AT TIME OF THE REPORT.
0524 PM SNOW 2 E NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.73W
01/21/2018 M1.6 INCH LINCOLN NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
SNOW TOTAL SO FAR. VISIBILITY OF 1/2 MILE.
0715 PM SNOW 8 SW GRANT 40.76N 101.83W
01/21/2018 E5.0 INCH PERKINS NE PUBLIC
0715 PM SNOW 4 W BIG SPRINGS 41.06N 102.15W
01/21/2018 M4.0 INCH DEUEL NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0758 PM SNOW 3 ENE NORTH PLATTE 41.15N 100.72W
01/21/2018 M4.0 INCH LINCOLN NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
STORM TOTAL AS OF 8 PM CST. STILL SNOWING WITH 1/2 MI.
VISBY
0848 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NW BROKEN BOW 41.42N 99.65W
01/21/2018 M46.00 MPH CUSTER NE ASOS
0911 PM HEAVY SNOW 4 NE NORTH PLATTE 41.17N 100.72W
01/21/2018 M6.0 INCH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE
0911 PM SNOW 2 E NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.73W
01/21/2018 M5.0 INCH LINCOLN NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
TOTAL SNOWFALL AS OF 9 PM CST. STILL SNOWING WITH 1/2
MILE OF VISIBILITY.
0915 PM HEAVY SNOW NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.77W
01/21/2018 E6.0 INCH LINCOLN NE BROADCAST MEDIA
0943 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 4 NW BIG SPRINGS 41.10N 102.13W
01/21/2018 M43.00 MPH DEUEL NE DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
1015 PM SNOW 3 NE NORTH PLATTE 41.16N 100.73W
01/21/2018 E6.5 INCH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC
1025 PM SNOW THEDFORD 41.98N 100.57W
01/21/2018 M5.0 INCH THOMAS NE PUBLIC
1034 PM BLIZZARD 1 W MERNA 41.48N 99.78W
01/21/2018 CUSTER NE LAW ENFORCEMENT
SHERIFF DEPUTY REPORTS NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY ONE MILE WEST
OF MERNA.
1040 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 6 NW DUNNING 41.89N 100.19W
01/21/2018 M44.00 MPH BLAINE NE MESONET
1100 PM HEAVY SNOW 5 N NORTH PLATTE 41.21N 100.77W
01/21/2018 M8.5 INCH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE
1115 PM HEAVY SNOW 1 E NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.75W
01/21/2018 M7.0 INCH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE
1200 AM HEAVY SNOW 3 ENE NORTH PLATTE 41.15N 100.72W
01/22/2018 M8.0 INCH LINCOLN NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
24 HOUR TOTAL AND PRELIM STORM TOTAL. STILL SNOWING
MODERATELY WITH 1/2 MI VISBY
1202 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NW BROKEN BOW 41.42N 99.65W
01/22/2018 M49.00 MPH CUSTER NE ASOS
1215 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 7 NW AINSWORTH 42.62N 99.95W
01/22/2018 M40.00 MPH BROWN NE AWOS
0100 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 WNW ROSE 42.21N 99.67W
01/22/2018 M44.00 MPH BROWN NE MESONET
0152 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 N IMPERIAL 40.53N 101.64W
01/22/2018 M47.00 MPH CHASE NE ASOS
0223 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 W HALSEY 41.90N 100.31W
01/22/2018 M42.00 MPH THOMAS NE PARK/FOREST SRVC
0300 AM HEAVY SNOW 3 ENE NORTH PLATTE 41.15N 100.72W
01/22/2018 M10.3 INCH LINCOLN NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
STORM TOTAL AS OF 3 AM CST. DRIFTS TO 3 FT. SNOW LETTING
UP, VISBY OVER 1 MI.
0305 AM HEAVY SNOW LONG PINE 42.53N 99.70W
01/22/2018 E12.0 INCH BROWN NE PUBLIC
0335 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 4 E NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.69W
01/22/2018 M39.00 MPH LINCOLN NE ASOS
0415 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 N HAYES CENTER 40.55N 101.02W
01/22/2018 M45.00 MPH HAYES NE MESONET
0500 AM HEAVY SNOW VALENTINE 42.87N 100.55W
01/22/2018 M6.1 INCH CHERRY NE COCORAHS
SWE 0.35 IN.
0515 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NW ONEILL 42.48N 98.67W
01/22/2018 M41.00 MPH HOLT NE AWOS
0600 AM SNOW 5 SSE HERSHEY 41.09N 100.96W
01/22/2018 M7.0 INCH LINCOLN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0600 AM SNOW 1 S VALENTINE 42.86N 100.55W
01/22/2018 M3.5 INCH CHERRY NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0600 AM SNOW 3 ENE NORTH PLATTE 41.15N 100.72W
01/22/2018 M11.4 INCH LINCOLN NE OFFICIAL NWS OBS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0600 AM SNOW 1 W VALENTINE 42.87N 100.57W
01/22/2018 M6.1 INCH CHERRY NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0658 AM BLIZZARD WELLFLEET 40.75N 100.73W
01/22/2018 LINCOLN NE COUNTY OFFICIAL
NEDOR HAS CLOSED HIGHWAY 83 BETWEEN NEBRASKA 23 AND OPAL
ROAD.
0700 AM SNOW 1 NW HAYES CENTER 40.52N 101.03W
01/22/2018 E8.0 INCH HAYES NE CO-OP OBSERVER
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW ESE ANSLEY 41.29N 99.38W
01/22/2018 M8.5 INCH CUSTER NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW 8 SW MADRID 40.77N 101.65W
01/22/2018 M11.6 INCH PERKINS NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW 9 ENE CHAPPELL 41.14N 102.31W
01/22/2018 M9.0 INCH DEUEL NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW 5 W STAPLETON 41.48N 100.61W
01/22/2018 M10.0 INCH LOGAN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0700 AM SNOW MADRID 40.85N 101.54W
01/22/2018 E11.2 INCH PERKINS NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0700 AM SNOW 2 SSW BURWELL 41.75N 99.15W
01/22/2018 M6.0 INCH GARFIELD NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW 1 W NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.79W
01/22/2018 M10.5 INCH LINCOLN NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW 3 S LAMAR 40.53N 101.98W
01/22/2018 M6.0 INCH CHASE NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW S ARTHUR 41.57N 101.69W
01/22/2018 M5.0 INCH ARTHUR NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW 11 ENE TRYON 41.62N 100.75W
01/22/2018 M8.0 INCH MCPHERSON NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM SNOW 9 NW ANSELMO 41.71N 99.99W
01/22/2018 M9.0 INCH CUSTER NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0726 AM SNOW 8 SW GRANT 40.76N 101.83W
01/22/2018 M13.0 INCH PERKINS NE PUBLIC
24 HOUR TOTAL REPORTED ON FACEBOOK
0730 AM SNOW 2 SE ANSELMO 41.60N 99.84W
01/22/2018 E10.0 INCH CUSTER NE CO-OP OBSERVER
24 HOUR TOTAL, 1.25 LIQUID PRECIPITATION
0745 AM SNOW 10 S ARNOLD 41.28N 100.19W
01/22/2018 M10.0 INCH CUSTER NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0758 AM SNOW BRADY 41.02N 100.37W
01/22/2018 M8.3 INCH LINCOLN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
24 HOUR TOTAL
0800 AM SNOW 2 S MULLEN 42.01N 101.04W
01/22/2018 M4.5 INCH HOOKER NE COCORAHS
24 HOUR TOTAL
0800 AM SNOW NEWPORT 42.60N 99.33W
01/22/2018 M4.0 INCH ROCK NE CO-OP OBSERVER
0900 AM SNOW 16 SW MULLEN 41.88N 101.26W
01/22/2018 E7.5 INCH HOOKER NE PUBLIC
24 HOUR TOTAL REPORTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, 2 TO 3 FOOT
DRIFTS
0945 AM SNOW 1 W NORTH PLATTE 41.13N 100.79W
01/22/2018 M8.2 INCH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE
24 HOUR TOTAL
0951 AM SNOW 10 NE OSHKOSH 41.51N 102.21W
01/22/2018 M3.5 INCH GARDEN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
24 HOUR TOTAL, 0.24 INCHES OF PRECIPITATION
1000 AM SNOW ARTHUR 41.57N 101.69W
01/22/2018 M5.0 INCH ARTHUR NE PUBLIC
SNOWFALL OF 5.0 INCHES OF SNOWFALL AND 0.30 INCHES OF
LIQUID PRECIPITATION.
1004 AM SNOW ELSIE 40.85N 101.39W
01/22/2018 E8.0 INCH PERKINS NE PUBLIC
24 HOUR TOTAL REPORTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
1009 AM SNOW 3 SW ATKINSON 42.50N 99.02W
01/22/2018 E5.0 INCH HOLT NE CO-OP OBSERVER
24 HOUR TOTAL, 0.55 INCHES LIQUID PRECIPITATION
1009 AM SNOW 4 N VALENTINE 42.93N 100.55W
01/22/2018 M6.5 INCH CHERRY NE PUBLIC
24 HOUR TOTAL, 0.52 INCHES LIQUID PRECIPITATION
1032 AM SNOW 10 NW ANSELMO 41.72N 100.00W
01/22/2018 M9.0 INCH CUSTER NE PUBLIC
24 HOUR TOTAL REPORTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, 0.95 INCHES
LIQUID PRECIPITATION
1100 AM SNOW BASSETT 42.58N 99.54W
01/22/2018 M6.8 INCH ROCK NE CO-OP OBSERVER
6.8 INCHES OF SNOWFALL WITH 0.44 INCHES OF LIQUID
PRECIPITATION.
1100 AM SNOW 5 W MERNA 41.48N 99.86W
01/22/2018 E10.0 INCH CUSTER NE PUBLIC
SNOWFALL REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
1200 PM HEAVY SNOW 8 WNW NORTH PLATTE 41.18N 100.91W
01/22/2018 E10.0 INCH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC
0100 PM HEAVY SNOW 13 ENE TRYON 41.63N 100.71W
01/22/2018 E12.0 INCH LOGAN NE PUBLIC
0100 PM HEAVY SNOW 5 N NORTH PLATTE 41.21N 100.77W
01/22/2018 M12.0 INCH LINCOLN NE NWS EMPLOYEE
0115 PM HEAVY SNOW 10 S NORTH PLATTE 40.99N 100.77W
01/22/2018 M12.8 INCH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC
STORM TOTAL SNOW
0115 PM HEAVY SNOW 8 WSW CALLAWAY 41.25N 100.06W
01/22/2018 M11.3 INCH CUSTER NE CO-OP OBSERVER
STORM TOTAL SNOW
0115 PM HEAVY SNOW 8 SSW STAPLETON 41.37N 100.57W
01/22/2018 E11.0 INCH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC
STORM TOTAL SNOW
0115 PM HEAVY SNOW 2 W WALLACE 40.84N 101.20W
01/22/2018 E0.0 INCH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC
24 HOUR STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL. REPORTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
0115 PM HEAVY SNOW ANSLEY 41.29N 99.38W
01/22/2018 E10.0 INCH CUSTER NE PUBLIC
STORM TOTAL SNOW
0700 PM HEAVY SNOW 2 W WALLACE 40.84N 101.20W
01/22/2018 E9.0 INCH LINCOLN NE PUBLIC
DRIFTS TO 4 FT
0800 AM HEAVY SNOW ONEILL 42.46N 98.65W 01/23/2018 M6.0 INCH HOLT NE CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW KINGSLEY DAM 41.21N 101.66W 01/23/2018 M4.0 INCH KEITH NE CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW 8 WNW ERICSON 41.82N 98.82W 01/23/2018 M5.5 INCH GARFIELD NE CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW BUTTE 42.91N 98.85W 01/23/2018 M3.6 INCH BOYD NE CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW IMPERIAL 40.52N 101.64W 01/23/2018 M12.5 INCH CHASE NE CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW AINSWORTH 42.55N 99.86W 01/23/2018 M8.0 INCH BROWN NE CO-OP OBSERVER
Environment
The blizzard was spawned by a strong area of low pressure moving out of the Rockies and across the Great Plains, commonly referred to as a "Colorado Low". The storm system pulled considerable moisture into the Great Plains and developed rapid rising motion. This combination led to a band of heavy wet snow across the Sandhills that accumulated at over one inch per hour. On the warm side of the system, there were strong and severe thunderstorms.
Looking at around 7500 ft. above the ground:
 |
 |
 |
| Sunday evening | Sunday night | Monday morning |
Around 5000 ft. above the ground:
 |
 |
 |
| Sunday evening | Sunday night | Monday morning |
Surface map:
 |
 |
 |
| Sunday evening | Sunday night | Monday morning |
Data/maps from Storm Prediction Center mesoanalysis archive
 |
Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged! Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site. |
|
Follow us on X
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on YouTube
LBF RSS Feed