Winter Weather — Polk, Nebraska

2024-01-18 · Polk, Nebraska

Wider weather episode

A broad upper trough was present from the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast. A cold front was moving southward across south central Nebraska during the afternoon hours. Snow was moving across the area during the afternoon behind the cold front. A line of convectively enhanced snow showers developed mid-afternoon across portions of Buffalo, Hall, and Merrick Counties then moved southeast through portions of south central Nebraska over the next couple of hours behind the initial areas of snow. The winds associated with this line of convectively enhanced snow showers were a lot stronger and resulted in a snow squall with white-out conditions. Wind gusts within the snow squall were frequently over 40 MPH, with a handful over 50 MPH. The Hastings Airport gusted to 59 MPH.

There was an accident west of Grand Island near the intersection of Highway 30 and Husker Highway involving at least 6 vehicles. Hall County Emergency Management stated that there were 10 accidents and 10-12 motorist assists across the county. Another pile-up, this one involving 18 vehicles in Adams County, occurred just southwest of Juniata near the intersection of Highway 6/34 and Liberty Avenue, with just one minor injury reported. Hamilton County Emergency Management noted there were multi-vehicle accidents which occurred on Highway 34 west of Aurora as well as on Highway 14, north of Interstate 80. There were several reports via social media of white-out conditions across the area with the passage of this snow squall.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1152651. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.