A large upper level system that dropped southeast from the northern Rockies split into two pieces, one tracked across the central plains while the other drifted southwest across the southwestern U.S.  Surface low pressure associated with the first piece tracked from northeast Texas across southeast Missouri and then into the lower Great Lakes region.  Arctic air was pulled in behind the lead system and brought a massive winter storm to a very large part of the U.S.  Freezing rain, heavy snow and blizzard conditions prevailed from the southern plains toward the Great Lakes, while record setting cold temperatures plunged southwest across western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona behind the southwest digging system.
Across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa the storm initially spread freezing drizzle or light freezing rain, mixed at times with light snow, across much of the area during the early morning hours of Jan. 31.  The precipitation changed over to all snow later on the 31st and continued into the late night hours of Feb. 1st.  As Arctic air spilled in behind the system, dangerously cold wind chill values spread over the region late on the 1st and early on the 2nd.   Increasing north to northwest winds on the 1st caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  The heavier snow from the storm was generally from around Lincoln and David City east and southeast into western Iowa, with most amounts across this area in the 5 to 7 inch range.  Heavier snow totals from the storm in eastern Nebraska included; 6.9 inches in Omaha, 6.6 inches at the NWS in Valley, 6.2 inches in Virginia, and around 6 inches in Rulo, Shubert, Auburn, near Cedar Bluffs and Papillion and around 5 inches at David City, Lincoln and Beatrice.  In southwest Iowa the heavier totals included; 7.5 inches in Glenwood, and around 5 inches at Harlan, Clarinda and Little Sioux.

Winter Storm in CEDAR, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the afternoon of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Although total snowfall from the storm was only 2 to 4 inches, the poor conditions made for difficult traveling and closed many area schools.

Winter Storm in GAGE, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 5 to 6 inches, with around 6 inches recorded in Virginia the highest reported in the county.

Winter Storm in DODGE, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 4 to 6 inches based on surrounding observations, although the highest reported in the county was 3 inches in Fremont.

Winter Storm in SARPY, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31. This produced very slick roads in the Omaha metro area which caused numerous accidents and made for a difficult morning commute.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was 5 to 7 inches with 5.5 inches recorded in Papillion and 5 inches near Gretna among the highest reported.

Winter Storm in BURT, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 4 to 6 inches based on surrounding observations.

Winter Storm in PAWNEE, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 6 inches based on surrounding observations.

Winter Storm in JOHNSON, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 6 inches based on surrounding observations.

Winter Storm in OTOE, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 6 inches based on surrounding observations.

Winter Storm in RICHARDSON, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 6 inches with around 6 inches reported at both Shubert and Rulo.

Winter Storm in NEMAHA, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 6 inches with around 6 inches reported at Auburn for the highest reported in the county.

Winter Storm in CASS, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 6 inches based on surrounding observations.

Winter Storm in CUMING, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 4 to 6 inches based on surrounding observations.

Winter Storm in BUTLER, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 5 or 6 inches, with 5 inches recorded in David City the highest reported in the county.

Winter Storm in LANCASTER, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  Slick roads from the freezing drizzle caused numerous accidents in Lincoln and surrounding areas  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 5 or 6 inches, with around 5 inches recorded in Lincoln the highest reported in the county.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 6 inches based on surrounding observations.

Winter Storm in THURSTON, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late afternoon of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Although total snowfall from the storm was only 2 to 4 inches, the poor conditions made for difficult traveling and closed many area schools.

Winter Storm in WAYNE, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the afternoon of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Although total snowfall from the storm was only 2 to 4 inches, the poor conditions made for difficult traveling and closed many area schools.

Winter Storm in SAUNDERS, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was around 5 or 6 inches, with around 6 inches recorded near Cedar Bluffs the highest reported in the county.

Winter Storm in DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA
From 31-JAN-11 05:00:00 to 31-JAN-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Patchy freezing drizzle and light snow moved into the area during the early morning hours of 1/31. This produced very slick roads in the Omaha metro area which caused numerous accidents and made for a difficult morning commute.  The precipitation changed to all snow later on the 31st and snow, occasionally moderate, continued through the late evening of Feb. 1.  North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 mph during the afternoon and evening of 2/1, which caused considerable blowing and drifting snow which closed some county roads and created near-blizzard conditions.  Total snowfall from the storm was 6 or 7 inches with 6.9 inches recorded in Omaha and 6.6 at the NWS in Valley among the highest reported.