Winter Storm in Wheeler, Nebraska

Northerly winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 40 mph at times occurred during the event, causing winter storm conditions. Visibilities were a quarter mile at times from mid morning into the early afternoon hours on December 25th. Considerable blowing and drifting occurred. A CoCoRaHS Observer reported 6.5 inches of snowfall. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 8 inches across Wheeler County.

A strong winter storm moved into western and north central Nebraska during the overnight hours on December 24th and continued through the early morning hours on December 27th. The winter storm brought heavy snow to much of western and north central Nebraska, with blizzard conditions observed across portions of the area. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 12 inches, with the highest amounts reported across eastern Cherry, Brown, Rock, and Keya Paha County in north central Nebraska and Grant County in southwest Nebraska. Northerly winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph at times occurred during the event, causing blizzard conditions with visibility of a quarter mile or less at times. Considerable blowing and drifting occurred. Interstate 80 an Highway 30 were closed on December 26th until the morning hours December 27th due to the blizzard conditions. Some highways also became closed with travel not advised further north across the Sandhills and north central Nebraska.