A massive winter storm of historic proportions affected the region from the early morning hours January 31st through the evening hours February 1st.
As this storm moved to the east of the area sustained north to northwest winds of 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, produced near-blizzard conditions at times, along with extensive drifts, some of which exceeded 4 feet tall. Additionally, temperatures in the single digits and teens in concert with the strong winds resulted in wind chill readings as cold as  minus 30 degrees, with the coldest readings over Central Kansas.  Low temperature reading on the morning of February 3rd, ranged from minus 7 degrees in Newton, Kansas to minus 17 degrees in Smolan, Kansas.  Unfortunately one person did die from cold exposure in Coffeyville, Kansas, after she fell while removing snow from her backyard, and was unable to get back up.

Cold/Wind Chill in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-11 19:32:00 to 03-FEB-11 07:32:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 1st and 2nd and early on February 3rd.  Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 20 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 5 degrees in Wichita, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.  The extreme cold caused most of the school districts in the surrounding communities to close on February 1st and 2nd.  The campus at Wichita State University also cancelled classes on February 2nd.

Cold/Wind Chill in CHASE, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-11 19:32:00 to 03-FEB-11 07:32:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 1st and 2nd and early on February 3rd.  Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 25 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 15 degrees near Cassoday, Kansas and minus 10 degrees near Tallgrass Praire, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill in LABETTE, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-11 19:32:00 to 03-FEB-11 07:32:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 2nd and early on February 3rd.  Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 20 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 17 degrees in Mound Valley, Kansas and minus 13 degrees in Parsons, Kansas  on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-11 19:32:00 to 03-FEB-11 07:32:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 2nd and early on February 3rd.  Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 26 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 4 degrees in Russell, Kansas on the morning of February 2nd.

Cold/Wind Chill in SALINE, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-11 19:32:00 to 03-FEB-11 07:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 2nd and early on February 3rd.  Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 30 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 15 degrees in Smolan, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill in ELLSWORTH, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-11 19:32:00 to 03-FEB-11 07:32:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 1st and 2nd and early on February 3rd.  Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 30 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 11 degrees in Ellsworth, Kansas, and minus 7 degrees at Kanopolis Lake, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.

Cold/Wind Chill in MONTGOMERY, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-11 19:32:00 to 03-FEB-11 07:32:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 2nd and early on February 3rd.  Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 20 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 8 degrees in Coffeyville, Kansas and minus 7 in Independence, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.
Unfortunately, a 79 year old Coffeyville, Kansas woman died of exposure to the cold, after falling in her backyard while trying to clear snow on the morning of February 2nd.   She apparently was unable to get back up after falling, some 15 feet from her back step and died from exposure to the extreme cold temperatures.  Actual time of death is unknown, but law enforcement authorities say that she had been lying in the location for an extended period of time.

Cold/Wind Chill in HARVEY, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-11 19:32:00 to 03-FEB-11 07:32:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Extreme cold temperatures moved across the county during the overnight hours of February 1st and 2nd and early on February 3rd.  Wind chill readings dropped as low as minus 30 degees during the evening of February 2nd, with the low temperatures falling to minus 7 degrees in Newton, Kansas on the morning of February 3rd.