Tracking Late December Winter Storm Expected to Impact the Northern Plains through the Northeast U.S.

A winter storm system will rapidly intensify over the Midwest on Sunday and track through the Great Lakes on Monday. Periods of heavy snow are anticipated across the Upper Great Lakes late Sunday and continuing into Monday. At least 1/10 inch of ice accumulation is expected from a wintry mix across much of the interior Northeast U.S. starting Sunday afternoon. Read More >

Overview

Unlike many past major snowstorms across western and north central Nebraska, a deep upper low was not present in the central United States on March 7, 2024. Instead, a slow moving area of weak upper low pressure pushed eastward across the central Plains through the day. Anomalously high atmospheric moisture was in place for this time of year, along with a narrow corridor of converging winds aloft. This, along with the environment being moderately unstable, led to enhanced lift and a snow band developed in this narrow corridor around 3 PM CST in southwest Nebraska. The band lifted northward through the evening, reaching North Platte and stretching northeastward into Custer County. The band remained nearly stationary for almost 6 hours, with snowfall rates of 2-3" per hour observed. A daily snowfall of 15.3" (with 14.6" falling in the 6 hour period the band was stalled) occurred on March 7th in North Platte, setting a new all time single day snowfall record. A total of 15-18" of snow fell across the North Platte area and points north and east into Custer County, prompting numerous road closures.

I-80 & I-76 Junction on March 7th

Source: Nebraska 511

Photos
Radar
Snow Map
Environment

Photos


North Platte Airport source: Caleb Brown	east North Platte source: Caleb Brown	south of North Platte source: Darren Snively	south of North Platte source: Darren Snively