Winter Weather — Douglas, Nebraska

2010-01-06 to 2010-01-07 · Douglas, Nebraska

Event narrative

Although the accumulating snow had ended by this time, sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts to 40 mph continued to cause areas of blowing snow along with substantial drifting snow. Visibilities occasionally fell below 1 mile and the persistent drifting snow kept many roads and highways drifted shut at least through this time period and in many cases for a day or two later. In addition, Arctic air spilling into the region had dropped temperatures to near zero or a bit colder and lowered wind chill values into the minus 15 to minus 25 degree range. A 41-year-old woman was found dead on her driveway from hypothermia after failing to make it home from a neighbors house. It was believed alcohol was involved.

Wider weather episode

This was the third winter storm in a month that hit eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa and was caused by an upper level disturbance that dropped out of Canada and closed off over the central plains before moving off to the east. This system pulled down Arctic air behind it and not only produced strong winds but also dangerously cold wind chill values. Even though snow amounts from this storm were about half as much or less than the storms that hit in December of 2009, and winds were similar or perhaps even a bit lighter, they lasted a relatively long time. Plus the snow from this storm fell on top of a base of older snow that was around 10 to 20 inches deep over much of the area. Thus, substantial blowing and drifting snow was observed with visibilities frequently 1 mile or less. In addition, the drifting snow from this storm was possibly worse than the prior two storms and many, if not most, rural roads became impassable for several days, as did many highways and interstates over the region. Due to drifts which reached as high as 12 feet and during the height of the storm 100 percent of county roads in eastern Nebraska were partially or completely closed and 95 percent of highways in northeast Nebraska were blocked. The task of snow removal was so daunting in some areas that the Department of Roads sent large rotary plows and other equipment from western Nebraska to help churn snow off the roads in eastern Nebraska. Many schools were closed for 3 days because of the snow and blowing snow at first, then because of the drifting snow and dangerously cold wind chills that persisted.

Snow totals were generally 3 to 6 inches from the storm with 6 inches at Nebraska City, around 5 inches at the NWS office near Valley, at Omaha-Eppley, Shubert, and Papillion among the highest reported. President Obama granted disaster declarations for many counties hit by this storm and the one in late December. In a letter requesting the aid, the governor of Nebraska stated the severity and magnitude of the storms were beyond the capabilities of the state.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 202718. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.