An upper level disturbance on the west coast moved southward over the southern Rockies and then out onto the southern plains from approximately December 21st through the 26th. This system affected the Cheyenne CWA in two waves. The first occurred December 22 and 23rd and brought light snow with strong winds that created drifting snow and hazardous driving conditions. As the storm system moved eastward, it intensified and brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions to the central Plains over the Holiday weekend.  A second wave of significant winter weather occurred over southeast Wyoming and the western Nebraska panhandle in wraparound energy from late on the 24th through the 26th.  Heavy snow and very strong winds produced blizzard conditions in the northeast portions of the CWA with near blizzard conditions elsewhere. Many roads were closed, including interstates 80 and 25 on Christmas day. Two deaths were indirectly attributed to to the second wave of winter weather, one near Laramie, WY and the other near Guernsey, WY.

Winter Storm in KIMBALL, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: AWOS

Near blizzard conditions occurred over the southern half of the Nebraska panhandle through Christmas day and continued through the late afternoon of the 26th. Area roads were closed due to snow and blowing snow reducing visibilities and creating hazardous driving conditions.  The AWOS at Kimball measured a wind gust of 58 MPH at 25/1210 MST. Combined with recent snowfall, near blizzard conditions were observed at this time.

Winter Storm in SCOTTS BLUFF, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Mesonet

Near blizzard conditions occurred over the southern half of the Nebraska panhandle through Christmas day and continued through the late afternoon of the 26th. Area roads were closed due to snow and blowing snow reducing visibilities and creating hazardous driving conditions. RAWS site at Scotts Bluff National Monument recorded a gust of 61 MPH at 25/1449 MST and a gust of 66 MPH at 25/1549 MST. At 25/1949 MST, the site recorded sustained winds of 39 MPH with numerous gusts of 50 to 62 MPH since 25/1549 MST. Combined with recent snowfall, near blizzard conditions occurred during this time.

Winter Storm in CHEYENNE, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: ASOS

Near blizzard conditions occurred over the southern half of the Nebraska panhandle through Christmas day and continued through the late afternoon of the 26th. Area roads were closed due to snow and blowing snow reducing visibilities and creating hazardous driving conditions.The ASOS at Sidney Municipal Airport measured a wind gust of 59 MPH at 25/1233 MST. At 25/1906 MST, the sensor reported a sustained wind of 44 MPH gusting to 60 MPH. Additional gusts greater than 50 MPH were reported since 25/0953 MST. Between 25/2300 and 26/0130 MST, sustained winds of 40 to 45 MPH were recorded with gusts of 55 to 61 MPH. Lastly, a gust of 58 MPH was measured at 26/0845 MST.  Combined with snowfall from the recent storm, near blizzard conditions were observed during this time.

Winter Storm in BANNER, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Near blizzard conditions occurred over the southern half of the Nebraska panhandle through Christmas day and continued through the late afternoon of the 26th. Area roads were closed due to snow and blowing snow reducing visibilities and creating hazardous driving conditions.  A trained spotter at 12 WNW Harrisburg reported at 26/0943 MST an estimated total snow fall of 3 to 5 inches. The snow depth ranged from bare ground to 7 ft drifts. At this time, visibility was down to 3/4 mile in strong winds.

Winter Storm in MORRILL, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Mesonet

The Union Pacific Railroad at Towers West (UP417) recorded sustained winds at or above 40 mph from 17:05MST to 19:10MST, with a maximum wind gust of 52 mph at 17:55MST. These high winds combined with recent snowfall produced extreme winter weather conditions during this time.

Winter Storm in BOX BUTTE, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Near blizzard conditions occurred over the southern half of the Nebraska panhandle through Christmas day and continued through the late afternoon of the 26th. Area roads were closed due to snow and blowing snow reducing visibilities and creating hazardous driving conditions. At 1250 MST, local law enforcement in Alliance reported very strong winds with reduced visibilities.  It was difficult to determine amount of fallen snow at this time.

Blizzard in NORTH SIOUX, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-09 09:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard conditions were seen across the northern Nebraska panhandle through Christmas day and continued through the following morning. Area roads were closed due to snow and blowing snow reducing visibilities and creating hazardous driving conditions. 1455 MST, a trained spotter in Harrison reported visibility a few hundred yards since the late morning with 3 ft drifts piling up. At 1832 MST, a county official in Harrison reported continued low visibility of 300 ft or less in snow and blowing snow.

Blizzard in DAWES, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-09 09:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard conditions were seen across the northern Nebraska panhandle through Christmas day and continued through the following morning. Area roads were closed due to snow and blowing snow reducing visibilities and creating hazardous driving conditions.  ASOS at Chadron Municipal Airport reported visibilities at 1/4 SM beginning at 1143 MST. At 1244 MST, local law enforcement in Chadron reported an estimated 4 to 6 inches of snow had fallen. Another report came in at approximately 1500 MST with drifts 3-4 ft high due to extremely windy conditions. At 2015 MST, a county official in Chadron reported continued low visibilities of 1/4 SM since around noon. At 2330 MST, local law enforcement in Chadron reported continuing visibilities less than 1/4 mile due to strong winds and snow in town. At this time, the ASOS at Chadron Municipal Airport was reporting 3/4 SM with wind gusts of 35 MPH.