Blizzard — Ellis, Kansas

2025-03-19 · Ellis, Kansas

Event narrative

Mesonet reported one quarter mile to one eight of a mile visibility began being reported before high winds and heavy snow disabled the reporting equipment. The Blizzard visibility and wind criteria began at 7 am and lasted into the late morning as winds were sustained to 40 mph and gusting to up to 60 mph commonly.

Wider weather episode

A deepening low pressure system strengthens and moves out of the Rockies and strengthens quickly. As the system neared the forecast area, there was very strong mid-level winds and deep vertical mixing. This created very strong surface winds of 70+. Into the overnight of 3/18-3/19, a cold frontal passage generated a line of mixed precipitation that fell as primarily snow. The falling snow combined with lingering strong winds created a period of blizzard like conditions. Multiple high wind and blizzard reports were gathered with this system.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1241217. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.