Winter Storm — Sarpy, Nebraska

2005-01-04 to 2005-01-06 · Sarpy, Nebraska

Wider weather episode

This storm dropped 8 to 14 inches of snow over most of eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa, with over a foot reported across the Omaha metro area. In fact, 14.1 inches was recorded at Omaha Eppley from this storm, tying it for the 3rd heaviest snowstorm on record. The storm came through in two main bursts, the first started late Tuesday afternoon 1/4/05 and continued to around dawn Wednesday. The second bout of heavy snow fell from late Wednesday afternoon until around midnight that night. Toward the end of the snow Wednesday evening wind chill values fell to 10 below to 25 below zero as brisk north winds combined with temperatures that eventually fell to zero or colder. These bitterly cold wind chill values continued into early Thursday morning.The storm claimed 2 lives Tuesday night as a young couple became disoriented after leaving their stuck vehicle in a rural area southwest of Omaha. Despite calls for help on their cell phone, they were unable to provide enough detail to be located before they collapsed and froze to death.The storm closed many schools across the region both Wednesday and Thursday.Besides the 14.1 inches recorded at Omaha Eppley, other heavier storm totals in eastern Nebraska included; 14.2 inches at the NWS in Valley, 12 inches in Fremont and Gretna, 11 inches at Uehling and 10 inches in David City, Raymond, Springfield, Weston, Plattsmouth, Bennington and Friend. Heavier amounts in southwest Iowa included; 12 inches at Little Sioux and Underwood, 11 inches in Harlan and Logan and 10 inches at Oakland.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5433028. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.