Blizzard — Marion, Kansas

2009-03-27 to 2009-03-28 · Marion, Kansas

Event narrative

A wintry mix of light to moderate sleet, snow and freezing rain affected the county during the day on the 27th. The wintry mix eventually changed over to snow during the evening and overnight hours from west to east, and persisted into the afternoon hours on the 28th. Meaningful ice and sleet accumulations were confined to mainly southern and eastern portions of the county, where sleet accumulated over 2 and 3 inches in some places. Meanwhile, snowfall accumulations exceeded 8 inches over west and northwest portions of the county, where stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. Hillsboro received around 11 inches, and Marion received around 6 inches. Sadly, a 58-year-old Hillsboro woman was killed in a car accident due to the slick roads during the afternoon hours of the 27th. Two others were injured in the accident, which occurred about 7 miles north of Hillsboro on Indigo Road. The Newton Kansas, Salina Journal and Hillsboro Star contributed to this report.

Wider weather episode

A late season winter storm of record breaking proportions struck central, south-central and southeast Kansas March 27-28, 2009. Heavy snow with blizzard conditions affected much of central and south-central Kansas, with accumulations exceeding 18 inches for some locations. Numerous buildings with mainly flat-topped roofs received various degrees of roof damage, some of which was rather extensive due to the weight of the heavy, wet snow. Many travelers became stranded due to the deep snow and blizzard conditions, some of which needed rescue by the National Guard. Meanwhile, sleet and freezing rain was the main culprit farther east across portions of south-central, east-central and southeast Kansas. Sleet accumulations up to 4 inches and ice accumulations up to three-quarters of an inch downed numerous trees, tree limbs, power poles and power lines, causing tens of thousands of power outages. The snow packed and icy roads aided in an uncountable number of auto accidents areawide. Two fatalities were attributed to the winter storm, with several injuries, most of which were due to auto accidents.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 159355. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.