Blizzard in Cheyenne, Kansas

Snowfall of 10 to 24 inches accompanied by 50 to 60 mph winds produced widespread blizzard conditions with near zero visibility and wind chills to 20 degrees below zero. It was the largest one day snowfall on record at the Goodland NWS office with 19.3 inches. Other snowfall amounts were St. Francis 11 inches, Bird City 19, McDonald 16, Atwood 14, Oberlin 17, Norcatur 24, Dresden 17, Lenora 22, Norton 12, Densmore 21, Colby 20, Rexford 11, Mingo 18, Hoxie 18, Morland 16, St. Peter 18, Hill City 12, Sharon Springs 19, Oakley 12, Winona 20, Gove 9, Grainfield 8, Quinter 12, Tribune 22, Leoti 13. Drifts 6 to 12 feet were common. An estimated 6200 head of cattle were killed. The Air National Guard air lifted hay to surviving range cattle after the storm. Up to 25 percent of the remaining fall crops were damaged by the snow and wind. Roads were closed and motorists stranded. At least one person suffered severe frostbite and mild hypothermia after becoming stranded for over 12 hours when his snowmobile quit. All activities were cancelled or postponed. Schools were closed for 1 to 2 days afterwards. The roof on the Student Union Building at Northwest Kansas Technical School in Goodland collapsed with $250,000 damage. The weight of the snow also damaged carports and awnings. Snowdrifts 1 to 2 feet high were even found in attics near vents due to wind blown snow. These inside drifts melted and subsequently caused ceiling, wall, and insulation damage in many homes.