Winter Storm — Wichita, Kansas

2024-01-08 to 2024-01-09 · Wichita, Kansas

Event narrative

A prolonged snowfall produced 5.5 to 11 inches of snow across Wichita County over a duration of 23.5 hours. Most observations were reported from the central part of the county near and in Leoti. The highest amount was reported five miles north of the town of Leoti. Due to the blizzard and heavy snow accumulations, Highway 25 from the Kearney County line to Highway 40 was closed for a few hours.

Key impacts: limited visibility, snow packed roads, blowing and drifting snow.

Wider weather episode

A widespread area of snow moved over Northwest Kansas producing blizzard conditions up to eleven hours with gusts up to 60 mph and snow amounts ranging from two inches to twelve inches. The strongest wind gusts were reported in Sherman County with several gusts of 55 to 60 mph. While the entire region received accumulating snowfall, amounts were greatest along and east of a Greeley County to Thomas County to Norton County line. Accumulations of ten or more inches were reported in Logan, Gove, and Wichita counties. Logan County, specifically the city of Oakley, received the highest amount of snow. Several highways were closed for a few hours due to the hazardous road conditions and numerous slide-offs and accidents. Highways closed include Highway 83 in Logan County, Highway 27 in Greeley County, as well as Highway 25 in Logan and Wichita counties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1156408. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.