A quick moving storm brought strong winds and blizzard or near-blizzard conditions to a large part of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on Feb. 14th and 15th.   As low pressure aloft dropped southeast across eastern Nebraska early on the 14th, light to moderate snow developed over the region.  As the system moved southeast of the area, northwest winds increased to 30 to 45 mph.  The combination caused white-out conditions, which in some cases lasted for more than 3 hours, even though storm snow amounts were generally under 2 inches.  During the height of the storm there were several multi-car pileups which caused road closures.  They included ones on Interstate 80 near the Platte River, and on highways near Cedar Bluffs, Beatrice, David City, Alvo and Milford.  The accident on Interstate 80 claimed one life.  Another disturbance rotated down along the Missouri River late in the evening on the 14th bringing more light snow as the strong winds continued.  Additional snowfall from this disturbance was generally under 1 inch.  However, the strong winds continued to cause significant drifting snow in open areas causing more accidents, several of which were fatal, and also caused additional road closures.  Many of the closed roads were in northeast Nebraska which also prompted the closure of several area schools.

Blizzard in KNOX, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 07:30:00 to 14-FEB-10 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Winter Weather in DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. A peak gust of 38 mph was measured by Asos at Omaha Eppley.  The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Slick roads caused numerous vehicles to slide off roads, especially on Interstates 80 and 680 in the Omaha area.

Blizzard in SEWARD, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 14-FEB-10 12:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 45mph.  The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Five emergency/law enforcement vehicles were hit when responding to crashes causing 3 injuries to responding personnel.  A 10-mile stretch of Interstate 80 was literally plugged up with accidents west of Seward causing it to come to a standstill.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard in MADISON, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 07:30:00 to 14-FEB-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in ANTELOPE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard in CEDAR, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 07:30:00 to 14-FEB-10 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Winter Weather in STANTON, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 05:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  These conditions briefly dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the morning of the 14th.  The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  A six vehicle accident on Highway 275 during the late morning of the 14th closed the highway and sent 6 people to a local hospital.

Winter Weather in LANCASTER, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 07:00:00 to 14-FEB-10 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph.
This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities, mainly in the morning and early afternoon of 2/14.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in SAUNDERS, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 07:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph.
This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted late in the evening on the 14th continuing into the morning of the 15th.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th causing a 12 vehicle pileup near Cedar Bluffs.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Many roads and highways in the county were closed for a time because of drifting snow or poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in CUMING, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph.
This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted late in the evening on the 14th continuing into the morning of the 15th.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Winter Weather in DODGE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. A peak wind gust of 36 mph was measured by the Awos in Fremont.  The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted into the morning of the 15th.  A 35-year-old female was killed when her pickup rolled after hitting a snow drift on Highway 30 west of Fremont.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in SARPY, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. A peak gust of 35 mph was measured at Offutt AFB.  The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  The slick roads, strong winds and poor visibilities caused numerous vehicles to leave roadways, including several that rolled.

Blizzard in PLATTE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 08:00:00 to 14-FEB-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  This caused at least 10 accidents on roads in Platte county and forced the closure of Highway 30 east of Columbus.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in KNOX, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in PIERCE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard in GAGE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 10:00:00 to 14-FEB-10 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 45mph.  The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  This caused a 14 car pileup west of Beatrice on Highway 4, closing the highway for 2 hours and causing 6 injuries.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard in BOONE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 06:00:00 to 14-FEB-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  A peak gust of 47 mph was measured by the Awos in Albion.  The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities and strand at least several vehicles in the county.  There were also several multi-vehicle crashes, including 5-vehicle accident on Highway 14 near Petersburg.

Winter Weather in BURT, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 40 mph. A peak wind gust of 41 mph was measured by the Asos at Tekamah.  The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted late in the evening on the 14th continuing into the morning of the 15th.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in CASS, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  The visibilities occasionally dropped to near zero for an hour or two late in the morning of the 14th.  The poor visibility caused a 25 car pileup on Interstate 80 near Ashland in which a 20-year-old female was killed when a semi-truck ran into her car which had pulled into the median to avoid other cars which had crashed.  Another multi-car pileup was reported on Highway 34.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted.  The drifting snow, icy conditions and poor visibilities caused a pickup truck to roll early in the morning of the 15th killing a 57-year-old male.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in CEDAR, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard in PIERCE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 07:30:00 to 14-FEB-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Winter Weather in WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted into the morning of the 15th.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard in SALINE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 14-FEB-10 12:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 45mph.  The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Blizzard in ANTELOPE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 07:00:00 to 14-FEB-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  Blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Winter Weather in WAYNE, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 05:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  These conditions briefly dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the morning of the 14th.  The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  In all, over 30 vehicles needed towing in the county because of the storm and periods of drifting snow that followed over the next few days.

Winter Weather in MADISON, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with a peak gust of 47 mph recorded by the Asos sensor in Norfolk.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  These conditions reached blizzard criteria for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile. The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th. A 45-year-old male was killed early in the morning on the 15th after being hit while walking away from his vehicle which had hit a snowdrift and rolled.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in THURSTON, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 09:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph.
This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted late in the evening on the 14th continuing into the morning of the 15th.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Some schools were closed on the 15th.

Blizzard in BUTLER, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 08:00:00 to 14-FEB-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 45mph.  The snow and strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities and blizzard conditions were reached for a while on the 14th as visibilities dropped to near zero.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in COLFAX, NEBRASKA
From 14-FEB-10 05:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 45 mph with an occasional gust around 50 mph.  This brought widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14 and continuing into the 15th.  These conditions briefly dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the morning of the 14th.  The drifting snow closed many roads and caused some schools to cancel classes on the 15th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.