Blizzard — Reno, Kansas

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

Event narrative

Light to moderate snow, with periodic bouts of heavy snow, affected the county from the early morning hours on the 27th through the early afternoon hours on the 28th. However, southeast portions of the county received a wintry mix of snow and sleet through much of the day on the 27th, changing over to all snow during the evening and overnight hours. Widespread snowfall amounts ranged from roughly 12 to 20 inches across the county. Hutchinson received 16 inches, with western portions of the county reaching 20 inches. Southeast portions of the county received 7 to 12 inches of snow, on top of at least 1 to 2 inches of sleet. Stout north to northeast winds resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow, with visibilities occasionally dropping to one-quarter mile or less. Three known injuries occurred in two automobile accidents due to the adverse road conditions. Unfortunately, an Arlington man died of a heart attack caused by shoveling snow. Paramedics were unable to reach him in a timely manner due to nearly impassable roads. Additionally, the heavy, wet snow caused a string of roof collapses and/or roof damage, including several businesses and a few schools. A canopy at the State Fairgrounds collapsed as well, along with some residential outbuildings and sheds. The Hutchinson News and Salina Journal 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 159358. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.