Winter Storm — Montgomery, Kansas

2009-12-24 to 2009-12-25 · Montgomery, Kansas

Event narrative

A mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain during the mid to late morning hours on the 24th changed to all snow during the afternoon hours, and continued into the early morning hours on the 25th. The sleet and snow was heavy at times. Sleet accumulations ranged from 1 to 2 inches, with snow accumulations ranging from 3 to 7 inches, heaviest across northwest and southeast portions of the county. The heavy snow in concert with strong and gusty northerly winds resulted in near blizzard conditions at times. The wind was so intense that it toppled a large gas station canopy in Cherryvale. A 72-year-old Independence man apparently fell in the snow outside his home, and died of exposure. Additionally, numerous vehicle accidents occurred. The Independence Daily Reporter and Montgomery County Chronicle contributed to this article.

Wider weather episode

A double-barreled winter storms affected the Kansas region from the predawn hours on the 23rd through the early morning hours on the 25th. The first piece of energy early on the 23rd brought widespread freezing rain to portions of mainly central Kansas, with ice accumulations reaching one-quarter inch in spots. There was a relative lull in the action for much of the 23rd through early on the 24th, before the second and more powerful piece of energy spread widespread sleet and heavy snow for locations mainly east of Interstate 135. Precipitation started as sleet and freezing rain mixed with snow during the mid morning hours on the 24th. The sleet was heavy at times, accumulating up to 2 inches in spots. The wintry mix gradually changed over to all snow from west to east during the afternoon hours, and persisted into the early morning hours on the 25th. The snow was heavy at times, with accumulations ranging from 4 to 8 inches generally along and east of the flint hills. The heavy snow in concert with strong and gusty north to northwest winds resulted in near blizzard conditions at times. Needless to say, travel conditions were treacherous, with numerous accidents and slide-offs occurring across the area, producing a handful of injuries and two known fatalities. The following counties were included in a disaster emergency declaration: Allen, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 207741. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.