A winter storm system brought near-blizzard conditions to portions of northeast Kansas during the morning hours of December 22, the busy Saturday for travel before the Christmas holiday.  Heavy snowfall and fifteen to twenty-five mile per hour winds that gusted to 25 to 35 miles per hour throughout the morning and afternoon caused significant blowing and drifting of accumulated and falling snow, and helped to reduce visibilities to less than one quarter of a mile at times.  The  heaviest snowband stretched along a line from near Wichita northeastward through Topeka, up to St. Josephs, MO. The greatest snowfall totals associated with this band were between nine and eleven inches--including a new daily snowfall accumulation record measured at the National Weather Service in Topeka of nine inches.  Traffic accidents were reported across northeast Kansas, the worst of which occurred just after 1:30pm CST in Wabaunsee County.  Thirty-two cars piled up on Interstate 70 just west of Auburn, which shut down a forty mile strech of interstate in both directions for forty miles.  One person will killed in the wreck, and several injured. Two shelters were opened to assist stranded travelers.

Winter Storm in LYON, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 08:30:00 to 22-DEC-07 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three to five inches of accumulated snow was reported in the far southern part of the county, while the northern three quarters saw six to nine inches of snow, with one spotter reporting eleven inches of accumulation in the northwest corner of the county. Three to four foot snow drifts were also observed.  Thirteen accidents (twelve non-injury, and one hit-and-run) were reported around Emporia between 10:13am and 11:51pm.  Three to four foot snow drifts were also observed.

Winter Storm in OSAGE, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 09:30:00 to 22-DEC-07 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A brief period of thunder and sleet, as well as thunder with a mix of sleet and snow was also reported by residents across the county.  Up to an inch of sleet fell before the precipitation type switched over to all snow. The county saw five to eight inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Storm in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 10:00:00 to 22-DEC-07 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A daily snowfall record of 9 inches was measured at the National Weather Service in Topeka. Eight to eleven inches of snow accumulated across the county.  Three to four foot drifts were also observed.  The Oakland Expressway on the northeast side of Topeka was closed the evening of the 22nd because of the structural integrity of a road sign.  A portion of US-24 was close west of Rossville after a 10 car pile-up the around 1:50pm the 22nd.  Minor accidents were reported throughout the day of the 22rd. A brief period of thunder and sleet, as well as thunder with a mix of sleet and snow was also reported by residents across the county late the morning of the 23rd across Shawnee County.  The temperature in Topeka the 21st was a balmy 60 degrees. Between eight and eleven inches of snow accumulated across the county.

Winter Weather in GEARY, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 10:00:00 to 22-DEC-07 15:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

While only two to three inches of snow was reported to have fallen in the western part of the county, blowing snow forced visibilites to fall below one quarter of a mile at times.  Several traffic accidents were reported in the near white-out conditions between mile markers 300 and 329. The southeastern part of the county saw a bit more snow, with accumulations of four to six inches.

Winter Storm in BROWN, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 10:45:00 to 22-DEC-07 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The county sat on the northern edge of the heaviest snow band.  Six to nine inches of snow was reported to have accumulated across the county.

Winter Storm in DOUGLAS, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 09:45:00 to 22-DEC-07 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tight gradient of snow accumulation was reported across the county.  The southeast corner saw three to four inches of snow, the middle of the county five to seven inches, and in the northwest 6 to 8 inches. A brief period of thunder and sleet, as well as thunder with a mix of sleet and snow was also reported by residents across the county.

Winter Storm in WABAUNSEE, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 10:00:00 to 22-DEC-07 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A 32 car pile-up occurred on I-70 near McFarland, just west of Auburn.  One person was killed, and several injured. Interstate 70 was shut down in both directions for several hours between mile markers 313 and 353, an approximately 40 mile stretch.  Cars, a semi, and a bus carrying Air Force Personnel were involved.  A number of people were also hurt.  One of the injured was a minister, and in an interesting twist of fate, those involved in the accident took shelter at his parish.  Near white-out conditions were reported at the time of the accident.  Two shelters opened for the convenience of displaced travelers.

Winter Storm in MORRIS, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 09:30:00 to 22-DEC-07 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Approximately six inches of snow fell in the western part of the county with drifts between eight and ten inches.  The eastern half of the county sat under the main snow band associated with the storm and saw closer to around ten inches of snow accumulations.

Winter Storm in JACKSON, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 10:30:00 to 22-DEC-07 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Six to nine inches of snow was reported to have accumulated across the county.

Winter Storm in COFFEY, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 08:30:00 to 22-DEC-07 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three to five inches of snow was reported to have accumulated in the southern part of the county, while the northern three-quarters saw five to seven inch accumulations of snow.

Winter Storm in JEFFERSON, KANSAS
From 22-DEC-07 10:30:00 to 22-DEC-07 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Six to eight inches of snow was reported to have accumulated across the county.  Drifts up to one foot deep were also observed.  A brief period of thunder and sleet, as well as thunder with a mix of sleet and snow was also reported by residents across the county.