Intense low pressure that tracked from southeast South Dakota into Iowa brought strong winds...snow and areas of zero visibilities in blowing snow to much of eastern Nebraska.  Especially hard hit was northeast Nebraska where many highways were closed during the afternoon and evening due to blizzard or near blizzard conditions, with numerous accidents reported.  In addition, several schools in northeast Nebraska didn't dismiss students and only released them if they were picked up by parents or a designee.  Morning temperatures that were in the 30s and even some lower 40s fell into the teens by afternoon as northwest winds gusted between 45 and 58 mph over much of the region.

Blizzard in KNOX, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Blizzard conditions were observed over much of Knox county most of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds...falling temperatures and whiteout conditions were reported.  Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.  Numerous accidents were reported and many other vehicles pulled off to the side of the road for several hours to ride out the storm.  Several schools in the area also did not observe a normal dismissal, only releasing students to parents or a designee.

Winter Weather in CUMING, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 13:30:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Near blizzard conditions were observed over Cuming county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.  Motel rooms were booked full in West Point due to poor visibilities which closed Highway 275 out of town.  A 5 to 10 vehicle pile-up was reported on Highway 275 near Beemer, with other accidents reported near West Point.

Winter Weather in BURT, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 14:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Near blizzard conditions were observed over Burt county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed several roads in Burt county, including Highways 32 and 77.

Blizzard in STANTON, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Blizzard conditions were observed over Stanton county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska,
including Highway 275 in Stanton county where an estimated 65 cars were stranded for a few hours.  Several accidents were also reported along Highway 275.  In addition around 30 people were transported by law enforcement and rescue personnel and brought to Pilger to wait out the storm.

Winter Weather in ANTELOPE, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 13:30:00 to 12-JAN-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Near blizzard conditions were observed over Antelope county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.

Blizzard in THURSTON, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Blizzard conditions were observed over Thurston county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds...falling temperatures and whiteout conditions were reported.  Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.  Numerous accidents were reported.  Schools were also closed in the afternoon, although some kept the students in place until picked up by parents or guardians.  Some of the schools remained closed the next day as well.

Winter Weather in SAUNDERS, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 13:30:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Near blizzard conditions were observed over Saunders county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow caused a 14 vehicle pile-up east of Wahoo after a semi truck and trailer jack knifed.  Several other motorists required shelter in Wahoo after their vehicles became stranded.  The accident resulted in two non-life threatening injuries resulted.

Blizzard in PIERCE, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Blizzard conditions were observed over much of Pierce county most of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds...falling temperatures and whiteout conditions were reported.  Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.  Numerous accidents were reported and many other vehicles pulled off to the side of the road for several hours to ride out the storm.  Several schools in the area also did not observe a normal dismissal, only releasing students to parents or a designee.

Blizzard in WAYNE, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Blizzard conditions were observed over Wayne county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds...falling temperatures and whiteout conditions were reported.  Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.  Numerous accidents were reported, especially on Highway 35 east of Wayne where a 17 vehicle pile-up occurred.  Many other vehicles pulled off to the side of the road for several hours to ride out the storm.  Several schools in the area also did not observe a normal dismissal, only releasing students to parents or a designee.  Some schools were closed the next day.  Around 30 people, including students and stranded motorists, spent the night in the Wayne Community Activity Center.

Blizzard in CEDAR, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Blizzard conditions were observed over Cedar county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds...falling temperatures and whiteout conditions were reported.  Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.  Numerous accidents were reported and many other vehicles pulled off to the side of the road for several hours to ride out the storm.  Several schools in the area also did not observe a normal dismissal, only releasing students to parents or a designee.

Winter Weather in PLATTE, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 13:30:00 to 12-JAN-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Near blizzard conditions were observed over Platte county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.  Several accidents were reported and other vehicles pulled off to the side of the road for several hours to ride out the storm.

High Wind in BOONE, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 15:10:00 to 12-JAN-09 15:10:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A gust of 58 mph was measured by the Awos at Albion.

High Wind in PLATTE, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 14:35:00 to 12-JAN-09 14:35:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A gust of 58 mph was measured by the Awos at Columbus.

Winter Weather in MADISON, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 13:30:00 to 12-JAN-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Near blizzard conditions were observed over Madison county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska.  Numerous accidents were reported and other vehicles pulled off to the side of the road for several hours to ride out the storm.  At least several cars were left stranded in the ditch off of Highway 81 north of Madison.

Winter Weather in BUTLER, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 13:30:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Near blizzard conditions were observed over Butler county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow caused several accidents north of David City.

Winter Weather in DODGE, NEBRASKA
From 12-JAN-09 13:30:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Near blizzard conditions were observed over Dodge county much of the afternoon of 1/12/09.  Snow...strong winds and falling temperatures contributed to whiteout conditions at times which helped cause a 27 car pileup just northwest of Fremont on Highway 30. Even though new snowfall was only an inch or two, the blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities closed many roads and highways in northeast Nebraska including a 16 mile stretch of Highway 30 west of Fremont.