A powerful winter storm battered much of Northeast Kansas dumping up to 15 inches of snow across parts of the area.  Many areas received over 6 inches of snow during the storm which began on Monday night and persisted into the early morning hours of Wednesday. Areas along and southeast of an Abilene to Manhattan to Hiawatha line experienced periods of freezing rain and sleet during the day Tuesday, December 8th, which limited the snowfall accumulations however northwest of this line the precipitation primarily fell as snow and it was heavy during the day Tuesday.  Although the heavy snows ended by Tuesday night, extremely strong northwest winds gusting from 40 to 50 mph developed and produced near blizzard conditions across parts of the area during the early morning hours on Wednesday.  Wind chill values dropped into the -10 to -20 degree range early on Wednesday December 9th.

Winter Storm in OTTAWA, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-09 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Reports throughout Ottawa county indicated that between 8 and 12 inches of snow fell between December 7th and December 9th. The highest snow total from Ottawa county came out of Minneapolis, KS where nearly 12 inches of snow was reported.  Gusty winds, along with the snow, created near blizzard conditions throughout the county. The snow and winds also resulted in many cars sliding off roads and into ditches.

Winter Storm in GEARY, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 21:30:00 to 09-DEC-09 04:15:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest snow total from Geary county was out of Milford, KS where 7 inches of snow were reported between December 7th and December 9th. Gusty winds and moderate to heavy snow made travel very difficult. Local newspapers reported there were several minor vehicle accidents; however, no person was injured as a result of these incidents.

Winter Storm in DICKINSON, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 21:30:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:45:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread 6 to 8 inch reports of snow came out of Dickinson county. The highest total came out of Abilene, KS, which reported 8 inches of snow between December 7th and December 9th. Gusty winds at heavy snow made roads difficult to navigate. Many slide-offs resulted from the treacherous conditions. No injuries resulted from these minor accidents.

Winter Storm in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 19:40:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:10:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Reports from across Marshall county indicated between 12 and 15 of snow fell between December 7th and December 9th. The highest report, 13 inches, received at the National Weather Service office in Topeka, KS came from just west of Oketo, KS. The Marysville city water plant recorded 12.4 inches of snow over the three day event. According to local newspapers, the county emergency manager reported 14 to 15 inch amounts from across the county. Strong winds caused drifts which reached 6-8 feet in height and created near blizzard conditions which made travel through the county difficult. Four semi-trailer rigs were blown over in separate incidents. One of the rigs was carrying a load of pigs. The cargo came loose when the rig toppled over, and took several hours to round up.

Winter Storm in REPUBLIC, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 19:49:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Many reports out of Scandia, Belleville, and Norway indicated over 12 inches of snow fell throughout the county between the dates of December 7th and December 9th. The snow finally ended during the early morning hours on December 9th.  Many cars slid off of roads and into ditches due to the slick conditions and high winds. One vehicle accident was caused when a passenger car struck the rear of a semi which slowed due to the lowered visibility.

Winter Storm in CLAY, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:45:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Reports throughout Clay county indicated that between 5 and 12 inches of snow fell between December 7th and December 9th. The highest amount reported to the National Weather Service office was 5 inches out of Clay Center. Newspaper articles do indicate that over 12 inches fell across some areas of the county.  Because of the high winds and heavy snow 6 to 8 foot drifts were also observed from across the entire county. Most of the roads in Clay county were impassable due to the blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in RILEY, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 20:52:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:33:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Riley county reported between 7 and 8 inches of snow between the dates of December 7th and December 9th. Manhattan, KS reported 7.3 inches of snow. Area schools and businesses closed as a result of the storm. Strong winds in conjunction with the light snow caused near blizzard conditions throughout the county. Local roads were nearly impassable due to the heavy snow and gusty winds.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 19:30:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Reports throughout Washington county indicated that between 8 and 13 inches of snow fell between December 7th and December 9th. The highest snow total from Washington county came out of Barnes, KS where nearly 16 inches of snow was reported.  Area schools and businesses were closed as a result of the snow. The snow and winds also resulted in many cars sliding off roads and into ditches.

Winter Storm in CLOUD, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 19:31:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:55:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A powerful winter storm moved through Cloud county December 7th through December 9th. Area schools and businesses were closed as a result of the snow.  Near blizzard conditions were experienced as heavy snow in conjunction with 20 to 30 mph winds brought visibilities to below a quarter mile at times. Snow totals across the county ranged from 9 to 14 inches during the 2 day event. On December 8th at Concordia, 12 inches of snow fell which broke the record for that day and was the 3rd highest one day snow total on record.

Winter Storm in NEMAHA, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nemaha county received a foot of snow between the dates of December 7th and December 9th. The highest report of snow received by the National Weather Service office in Topeka was 12 inches out of Corning, KS. Heavy snow in conjunction with strong, gusty winds made for near blizzard conditions. Travel was treacherous throughout the region, as the snow and wind resulted in numerous vehicle slide-offs. No injuries were reported from these slide-offs.

Winter Storm in BROWN, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 19:49:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The highest snow total out of Brown county was reported out of Hiawatha, KS, which reported 9 inches between December 7th and December 9th. Strong, gusty winds in conjunction with the heavy snow made travel throughout the area very treacherous. Numerous vehicle slide-offs resulted from the near blizzard conditions. No injuries were reported from these vehicle slide-offs in Brown county.

Winter Storm in JACKSON, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 20:45:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Between the dates of December 7th and December 9th, 7 to 11 inches of snow fell across Jackson county. The highest total reported to the National Weather Service was around 10.5 inches out of Holton, KS. Strong, gusty winds in conjunction with the heavy snow made travel treacherous throughout the area. Numerous vehicle slide-offs were reported around the area; however, no injuries were reported from these incidents.

Winter Storm in POTTAWATOMIE, KANSAS
From 07-DEC-09 20:52:00 to 09-DEC-09 03:33:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The highest snow report, 10.5 inches, out of Pottawatomie county came just northwest of Onaga, KS. Heavy snow blanketed the area over a three day stretch beginning on December 7th and endinig on December 9th. Strong winds accompanied the storm, which brought near blizzard conditions for periods during the event. The strong storm made travel treacherous and aided in many vehicles sliding off the road into nearby ditches.