Blizzard — Republic, Kansas

1998-03-07 to 1998-03-08 · Republic, Kansas

Wider weather episode

A snowstorm accompanied by blizzard conditions dumped 6 or more inches of snow northwest of the Kansas Turnpike. A swath of 10 or more inches fell along and north of a line from Holton in Jackson County to Belleville in Republic County. Sabetha reported the most snow with 18 inches. Other higher amounts included Centralia 15, Blaine 13, and Holton 11. Belleville, Washington, and Frankfort all received 10 inches. Strong winds combined with the snow to produce near white out conditions in many areas and forced the closing of at least 22 US and state highways, including 60 miles of interstate 70 from the west side of Topeka to near Junction City. US Highway 75 was closed between Topeka and the Nebraska boarder. Numerous accidents and stranded cars were reported. One fatal accident occurred in northern Dickinson County due to a head on collision between two cars. Snowfall totals decreased dramatically southeast of the Kansas Turnpike with little accumulation south of Interstate 35. The snow began accumulating in North Central Kansas during late afternoon on the 7th. Rain in Northeast and East Central Kansas gradually changed to snow from early evening to shortly after midnight. Winds increased after midnight on the 8th with gusts between 30 and 50 mph mph creating blizzard or near blizzard conditions by noon, mainly northwest of the Kansas Turnpike. Drifts of 4 to 7 feet were common with drifts exceeding 10 feet reported in extreme cases.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5634558. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.