A low pressure center tracking across the Great Lakes and its associated cold front extending across the Southern Plains will focus occasional showers and thunderstorms through tonight. A few of these thunderstorms may become severe alongside heavy rainfall that may cause flash flooding; Portions of the Southern Plains would be the greatest threat for these hazards through tonight. 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. |
Source: Nebraska 511 |
Photos
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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 |
Radar
Thursday Evening (3/7) - Friday early morning (3/8)
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Thu. 4 PM - Fri. 12 AM CST |
Radar loops courtesy of the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
Snow Map
Storm total snow from March 7th:
Amounts derived from local storm reports, automated airport gauges, Cooperative Weather Observers, CoCoRaHS.
Environment
Surface analysis:
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Thursday morning | Thursday Evening | Early Friday Morning |
Additional Analysis:
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Thursday Evening Sounding Data | 700mb Frontogenesis | Snow Growth Zone RH & Omega |
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