Blizzard — Banner, Nebraska

2023-12-25 to 2023-12-26 · Banner, Nebraska

Event narrative

Trained spotter located 6 miles south of Harrisburg reported one-quarter mile visibility or less in snow and blowing snow. Nearby NEDOR sensor (NE001) along Highway 71 at Banner Road (Mile Marker 34.5) was reporting wind speeds 40 to 50 mph during this time. CoCoRaHS observer located 9 miles southwest of Harrisburg reported 10 inches of storm total snowfall.

Wider weather episode

A strong cutoff upper level low across the central US began retrograding westward with wrap around moisture and strong winds leading to heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions, especially along the Pine and Cheyenne Ridges in the Nebraska Panhandle. Snowfall persisted longest near the Pine Ridge where the Chadron area received 10 to 16 inches of snowfall. Further south near Kimball and Sidney, snowfall totals ranged from 4 to 9 inches with strong winds gusting 50 to 60 mph leading to low visibility and blizzard conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1145871. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.