Winter Storm — Sedgwick, Kansas

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

Event narrative

At 7AM on 9 January, a COOP observer reported 5 inches of snow in Mount Hope Kansas. Snowfall amounts of 5 to 1.7 inches were reported across the county. There were several vehicular accidents during the snow. Some injuries occurred due to these vehicular accidents and individuals falling on ice.

Wider weather episode

The evening of 8 January to the late morning of 9 January, a strong low pressure system pushed through central, south central and southeast Kansas. Rainfall overspread the region which eventually changed over to snow. Winter storm warnings were issued for much of central Kansas with winter weather advisories for south central and southeast Kansas. Much of south central Kansas was later upgraded to a warning. Many areas of central and south central Kansas experienced heavy snow with very limited visibility during the early morning hours of 9 January given strong winds at the same time. Snowfall amounts of 5 inches to 12 inches of snow were reported in the Winter Storm Warning area. Southeast Kansas and far south central Kansas experienced snowfall amounts of 0.1 inches to 2.5 inches. There were numerous accidents that occurred during the time of this event primarily in south central and southeast Kansas as well as along the I-70 corridor. Almost all roads were closed across the western half of Kansas by Monday evening, including I-70 west of Salina to the Colorado border. Kansas Highway Patrol responded to nearly 100 calls from motorists during the storm. Strong winds and heavy snow also caused numerous power outages across the region. With the exception of far southeast Kansas, most schools across Kansas cancelled classes, many for a few days.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1157498. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.