The potential for heavy snow at higher elevations in the western U.S. will continue for many spots through the weekend. In the meantime, the eastern half of the continental U.S. will transition to above normal temperatures ahead of a pair of cold fronts next week that will bring readings back to closer to normal as we approach Thanksgiving Day. Read More >
Powerful Winter Storm Blasts Kansas
January 31st - February 1st, 2011
The third winter storm in the past 22 days hit parts of Kansas on Tuesday dumping as much as a foot of snow on parts of eastern Kansas and bringing bitterly cold temperatures to the State. Reports of a blizzard with near white out conditions were common across parts of east central Kansas where some of the heaviest snowfall occurred. Below is a map of preliminary snowfall reports.
Preliminary map of snowfall reports through 10 AMTuesday
This storm affected a significant portion of the country in addition to northeast Kansas, dropping in excess of 2 feet of snow in some locations, with significant freezing rain and sleet in others. Here is a large scale map of 3 day snowfall totals across the nation (Click the image to go to the zoomable website).
Perhaps the most hazardous aspect of this winter storm was the very cold temperatures and gusty north winds that moved in behind the snow. Wind chill values of -20 to -30 degrees were forecast to occur, creating a potentially dangerous situation for anyone who may have become stranded by the snow.
Prior to the snow storm on Tuesday, widespread freezing mist and light freezing drizzle brought a light glaze of ice to much of central and eastern Kansas during the day Monday. This caused slippery driving conditions before the brunt of the snow storm even began to affect the region.
This latest round of winter weather has been the most severe storm of the season. This is mainly due to north winds gusting as high as 40 mph with the snowfall. The wind was responsible for creating the dangerous wind chills as well as blowing and drifting of snow. Some reports indicated snow drifts were as deep as 4 feet. This was also the first winter storm to have ice associated with it. Fortunately the ice accumulations from Monday were relatively minor compared to the weather we experienced on Tuesday.
Coldest Wind Chill Readings From the Morning of February 2nd
| Location | Wind Chill (F) |
| Topeka | -14 degrees |
| Lawrence | -18 degrees |
| Manhattan | -13 degrees |
| Emporia | -20 degrees |
| Concordia | -21 degrees |
| Forbes Field | -19 degrees |
Click above photos to enlarge
Visible satellite image showing snow cover (lighter shades of gray) over much of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri
(captured 2/2/2011 at 12:30 PM CST)
|
Storm Summary Reports January 31 - February 1, 2011 |
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
1053 AM CST WED FEB 02 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0853 AM SNOW 5 NE BREMEN 39.97N 96.73W
02/01/2011 M2.0 INCH MARSHALL KS TRAINED SPOTTER
0958 AM SNOW 6 SE OSKALOOSA 39.15N 95.23W
02/01/2011 E1.0 INCH JEFFERSON KS EMERGENCY MNGR
MODERATE BLOWING SNOW
1020 AM SNOW ABILENE 38.92N 97.21W
02/01/2011 E1.0 INCH DICKINSON KS PUBLIC
VISIBILITY RANGES FROM 0 TO 200 METERS.
1045 AM SNOW BURLINGTON 38.19N 95.74W
02/01/2011 E3.0 INCH COFFEY KS EMERGENCY MNGR
1045 AM SNOW OSAGE CITY 38.63N 95.83W
02/01/2011 E2.0 INCH OSAGE KS EMERGENCY MNGR
SNOW ESTIMATED AT 2 INCHES WITH ONE QUARTER MILE
VISIBILITY.
1048 AM SNOW GARNETT 38.28N 95.24W
02/01/2011 E5.0 INCH ANDERSON KS EMERGENCY MNGR
1051 AM SNOW BURLINGTON 38.19N 95.74W
02/01/2011 E3.0 INCH COFFEY KS EMERGENCY MNGR
1052 AM SNOW 10 WNW OSAGE CITY 38.70N 95.98W
02/01/2011 E2.0 INCH LYON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
VISBILITY 3/8 OF A MILE WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW
1101 AM SNOW 1 SSW GREELEY 38.35N 95.13W
02/01/2011 E5.5 INCH ANDERSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1102 AM SNOW TOPEKA 39.05N 95.68W
02/01/2011 E2.5 INCH SHAWNEE KS EMERGENCY MNGR
1105 AM SNOW OTTAWA 38.62N 95.27W
02/01/2011 E4.0 INCH FRANKLIN KS EMERGENCY MNGR
3 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOWFALL ESTIMATED WITH BLOWING SNOW AND
DRIFTING.
1105 AM SNOW EUDORA 38.94N 95.10W
02/01/2011 E4.0 INCH DOUGLAS KS LAW ENFORCEMENT
K-10 DOWN TO ONE LANE. 3/4 MI VISIBILITY.
1131 AM SNOW MARYSVILLE 39.84N 96.65W
02/01/2011 E2.0 INCH MARSHALL KS EMERGENCY MNGR
BLOWING SNOW ALSO REPORTED
1146 AM SNOW MANHATTAN 39.18N 96.57W
02/01/2011 E1.5 INCH RILEY KS TRAINED SPOTTER
STREETS ARE SNOWPACKED WITH VISIBILITY OF 1/2 MILE
0119 PM SNOW 3 W OKETO 39.96N 96.66W
02/01/2011 M2.5 INCH MARSHALL KS TRAINED SPOTTER
0119 PM HEAVY SNOW GARNETT 38.28N 95.24W
02/01/2011 E9.5 INCH ANDERSON KS EMERGENCY MNGR
EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 9 TO 10 INCHES.
0233 PM HEAVY SNOW OTTAWA 38.62N 95.27W
02/01/2011 E8.5 INCH FRANKLIN KS EMERGENCY MNGR
EMERGENCY MANAGER ESTIMATES 8 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW DEPTH.
WIDE SPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW REPORTED THROUGH
OUT FRANKLIN COUNTY.
0235 PM HEAVY SNOW 1 SE GARNETT 38.27N 95.23W
02/01/2011 E8.0 INCH ANDERSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
ESTIMATED 8.0 INCHES WITH DRIFTS OVER 1 FOOT. HEAVY SNOW
WAS ALSO OCCURING.
0235 PM SNOW LYNDON 38.61N 95.68W
02/01/2011 E4.5 INCH OSAGE KS LAW ENFORCEMENT
LAW ENFORCEMENT ESTIMATED 4 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW DEPTH.
SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW HAS REDUCED THE VISIBILITY TO LESS
THAN 100 YARDS.
0245 PM HEAVY SNOW HOLTON 39.47N 95.74W
02/01/2011 E6.0 INCH JACKSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITY BELOW
1/4 OF A MILE. DRIFTS TO 16 INCHES.
0250 PM SNOW 1 N MANHATTAN 39.20N 96.57W
02/01/2011 E3.0 INCH RILEY KS CO-OP OBSERVER
6 TO 8 INCH DRIFTS. VISIBILITY OF 1 CITY BLOCK.
0300 PM HEAVY SNOW TOPEKA 39.05N 95.68W
02/01/2011 M6.2 INCH SHAWNEE KS OFFICIAL NWS OBS
TOTAL SINCE 6 AM
0332 PM BLIZZARD 3 W LAWRENCE 38.96N 95.32W
02/01/2011 DOUGLAS KS NWS EMPLOYEE
HEAVY SNOW WITH VISIBLITY LESS THAN 1/8 OF A MILE. DEEPER
SNOW DRIFTS.
0400 PM HEAVY SNOW NW RANTOUL 38.55N 95.10W
02/01/2011 E9.0 INCH FRANKLIN KS TRAINED SPOTTER
0411 PM SNOW 3 W OKETO 39.96N 96.66W
02/01/2011 M3.5 INCH MARSHALL KS TRAINED SPOTTER
BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE SNOW REPORTED.
0416 PM HEAVY SNOW EMPORIA 38.40N 96.18W
02/01/2011 E6.0 INCH LYON KS EMERGENCY MNGR
REPORT RELAYED BY KVOE.
0426 PM SNOW MORROWVILLE 39.84N 97.17W
02/01/2011 E3.5 INCH WASHINGTON KS PUBLIC
RELAYED BY KTKA TV
0437 PM SNOW 5 SE TECUMSEH 39.00N 95.51W
02/01/2011 U0.0 INCH SHAWNEE KS LAW ENFORCEMENT
37TH STREET BETWEEN STUBBS AND WOODRING IS CLOSED DUE TO
DRIFTING SNOW.
0441 PM HEAVY SNOW 1 E LAWRENCE 38.96N 95.24W
02/01/2011 E6.5 INCH DOUGLAS KS TRAINED SPOTTER
DEPTH IS 8 INCHES
0445 PM HEAVY SNOW HOLTON 39.47N 95.74W
02/01/2011 E8.0 INCH JACKSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
0445 PM HEAVY SNOW EUDORA 38.94N 95.10W
02/01/2011 E10.0 INCH DOUGLAS KS TRAINED SPOTTER
0521 PM HEAVY SNOW 3 N HOYT 39.29N 95.71W
02/01/2011 M6.5 INCH JACKSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
ESTIMATED 4 FOOT DRIFTS
0530 PM HEAVY SNOW 3 WNW LAWRENCE 38.98N 95.31W
02/01/2011 E7.0 INCH DOUGLAS KS NWS EMPLOYEE
0530 PM HEAVY SNOW LAWRENCE 38.96N 95.26W
02/01/2011 E8.0 INCH DOUGLAS KS EMERGENCY MNGR
0541 PM HEAVY SNOW 5 SE TOPEKA 39.00N 95.61W
02/01/2011 E9.0 INCH SHAWNEE KS PUBLIC
RELAYED BY KSNT TV
0600 PM SNOW ABILENE 38.92N 97.21W
02/01/2011 M4.0 INCH DICKINSON KS CO-OP OBSERVER
0600 PM SNOW 12 WNW BLUE RAPIDS 39.75N 96.87W
02/01/2011 E2.7 INCH WASHINGTON KS NWS EMPLOYEE
0600 PM SNOW MANHATTAN 39.18N 96.57W
02/01/2011 E3.0 INCH RILEY KS PUBLIC
RELAYED BY KSNT
0600 PM SNOW WAMEGO 39.20N 96.31W
02/01/2011 E5.0 INCH POTTAWATOMIE KS PUBLIC
RELAYED BY KSNT
0600 PM HEAVY SNOW NORTONVILLE 39.41N 95.33W
02/01/2011 E9.5 INCH JEFFERSON KS PUBLIC
RELAYED BY KSNT
0600 PM HEAVY SNOW LYNDON 38.61N 95.68W
02/01/2011 E6.5 INCH OSAGE KS PUBLIC
RELAYED BY KSNT
0600 PM HEAVY SNOW BURLINGTON 38.19N 95.74W
02/01/2011 E8.5 INCH COFFEY KS PUBLIC
RELAYED BY KSNT
0600 PM SNOW MORROWVILLE 39.84N 97.17W
02/01/2011 E3.5 INCH WASHINGTON KS PUBLIC
RELAYED BY KSNT
0630 PM SNOW GLASCO 39.36N 97.84W
02/01/2011 M1.5 INCH CLOUD KS CO-OP OBSERVER
0650 PM HEAVY SNOW 3 SSW FAIRVIEW 39.81N 95.75W
02/01/2011 E6.0 INCH BROWN KS TRAINED SPOTTER
0700 PM HEAVY SNOW RICHMOND 38.40N 95.25W
02/01/2011 E10.0 INCH FRANKLIN KS TRAINED SPOTTER
DRIFTS TO 4 FEET
0700 PM HEAVY SNOW 4 W MAYETTA 39.34N 95.80W
02/01/2011 M6.2 INCH JACKSON KS PUBLIC
0719 PM HEAVY SNOW 6 WSW TOPEKA 39.01N 95.78W
02/01/2011 E6.0 INCH SHAWNEE KS NWS EMPLOYEE
DRIFTS 2 FEET DEEP.
0719 PM SNOW MANHATTAN 39.18N 96.57W
02/01/2011 E4.0 INCH RILEY KS LAW ENFORCEMENT
POLICE OFFICER ESTIMATED 3 TO 4 INCHES, 5 TOPS
0719 PM SNOW JUNCTION CITY 39.03N 96.83W
02/01/2011 E2.0 INCH GEARY KS LAW ENFORCEMENT
0719 PM HEAVY SNOW 1 SSW GREELEY 38.35N 95.13W
02/01/2011 E10.0 INCH ANDERSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
0800 PM HEAVY SNOW BILLARD AIRPORT 39.08N 95.62W
02/01/2011 E9.1 INCH SHAWNEE KS OFFICIAL NWS OBS
0801 PM SNOW 3 W OKETO 39.96N 96.66W
02/01/2011 E4.0 INCH MARSHALL KS TRAINED SPOTTER
BLOWING SNOW
0900 PM HEAVY SNOW 5 E HOYT 39.26N 95.61W
02/01/2011 M9.0 INCH JACKSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1056 PM HEAVY SNOW S LYNDON 38.61N 95.68W
02/01/2011 M8.0 INCH OSAGE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
0901 AM HEAVY SNOW LECOMPTON 39.04N 95.39W
02/02/2011 E9.0 INCH DOUGLAS KS CO-OP OBSERVER
SNOW DEPTH TOTAL. PRECIPITATION 0.42 INCHES.
0907 AM HEAVY SNOW BLAINE 39.50N 96.40W
02/02/2011 E6.0 INCH POTTAWATOMIE KS PUBLIC
SNOW DEPTH TOTAL. 3 FOOT DRIFTS.
0939 AM SNOW 2 NE MANHATTAN 39.20N 96.54W
02/02/2011 M3.6 INCH RILEY KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1005 AM SNOW 4 E EMMETT 39.30N 95.98W
02/02/2011 E7.0 INCH JACKSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
SNOW DEPTH TOTAL
1013 AM SNOW ENTERPRISE 38.90N 97.12W
02/02/2011 E3.0 INCH DICKINSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1018 AM SNOW 2 W LAWRENCE 38.96N 95.30W
02/02/2011 E11.0 INCH DOUGLAS KS TRAINED SPOTTER
HEAVY SNOW
1019 AM SNOW 1 NW LAWRENCE 38.97N 95.27W
02/02/2011 E6.0 INCH DOUGLAS KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1020 AM HEAVY SNOW 6 ESE EMPORIA 38.37N 96.08W
02/02/2011 E6.0 INCH LYON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1022 AM HEAVY SNOW 4 NNE BURLINGAME 38.81N 95.81W
02/02/2011 E7.0 INCH OSAGE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1023 AM SNOW 3 WSW ONAGA 39.47N 96.22W
02/02/2011 E5.0 INCH POTTAWATOMIE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1025 AM SNOW MANHATTAN 39.18N 96.57W
02/02/2011 E3.0 INCH RILEY KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1025 AM SNOW 2 SSW MANHATTAN 39.16N 96.59W
02/02/2011 E3.0 INCH RILEY KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1026 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 WNW TOPEKA 39.05N 95.69W
02/02/2011 E7.0 INCH SHAWNEE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1027 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 SE BERRYTON 38.92N 95.61W
02/02/2011 E7.3 INCH SHAWNEE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL
1027 AM HEAVY SNOW 4 W TOPEKA 39.05N 95.75W
02/02/2011 E8.0 INCH SHAWNEE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1028 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 WSW TOPEKA 39.04N 95.71W
02/02/2011 E8.0 INCH SHAWNEE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1028 AM HEAVY SNOW ESKRIDGE 38.86N 96.11W
02/02/2011 E7.0 INCH WABAUNSEE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1029 AM SNOW MCFARLAND 39.05N 96.24W
02/02/2011 E4.0 INCH WABAUNSEE KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1030 AM SNOW 8 SSE GREENLEAF 39.62N 96.92W
02/02/2011 E2.0 INCH WASHINGTON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
1031 AM SNOW BARNES 39.71N 96.87W
02/02/2011 E4.0 INCH WASHINGTON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
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Special Thanks to the spotters, coop observers, and reporters who gave
timely and accurate snow reports during the storm!
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