For much of South Central Nebraska, this Saturday featured the first widespread, measurable snow of the 2011-2012 winter season. Storm-total accumulations were mainly between 3-6 inches, but with exceptions on either side of this range. On the higher side, a narrow corridor across western counties including Dawson, Gosper and Furnas tallied 7-9 inches, with some of this heavier snow also clipping western portions of Buffalo, Phelps and Harlan Counties. Per NWS Cooperative Observers, the highest totals fell at Cambridge (9.2 inches), Canaday Steam Plant southeast of Lexington (8.5 inches) and eight miles south of Elwood (7.5 inches). On the lighter side of snowfall, only far southeast portions of the area averaged less than 3 inches, mainly portions of Thayer and far southeast Nuckolls Counties. In the Tri-Cities, both Hastings and Kearney led the way with 5.1 inches, which for Hastings established a new daily record for December 3rd. Although winds were not a major issue during this event, northerly speeds increased to between 15-25 MPH during the day, with gusts to near 35 MPH at times, resulting in at least minor blowing and drifting of the fairly wet snow.
Focusing on timing, the initial narrow band of steady snow set up shop along a line from southwest into north central Nebraska very early in the morning, mainly between 2 AM and 6 AM. In fact, Cambridge already reported 7 inches of snow by 8 AM. Meanwhile, across southeast portions of the area including Hebron, the initial pre-dawn precipitation started out as a cold rain. Eventually, precipitation increased in coverage and transitioned to snow area-wide, with most of the 24-county area receiving the steadiest accumulation during a 6-hour window between 7 AM and 1 PM. Snowfall really started winding down during the mid to late afternoon hours, with nothing more than a few flurries lingering by 9 PM.
The primary mid and upper level forcing for this event consisted of an open wave passing through the Central Plains in southwest flow, ejecting from a parent low pressure system over the Desert Southwest. In addition, the local area became aligned under favorable diffluence aloft owing to a coupled jet stream structure at 300 millibars. The stronger northern branch featured a 120 knot jet streak centered from eastern South Dakota into southern Ontario by mid-day on the 3rd. Beneath this upper jet structure, a focused band of mid level frontogenesis also took shape.

Winter Storm in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 01:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 5 to 9 inches were reported across the county, with the heaviest amounts found across the western half.

Winter Storm in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 01:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 5 to 10 inches were reported across the county, with the heaviest amounts found across the western half.

Winter Storm in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 02:00:00 to 03-DEC-11 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 5 to 9 inches were reported across the county, with the heaviest amounts found across the eastern half.

Winter Storm in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 02:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 7 inches were reported across the county, with the heaviest amounts found in the far northwest corner.

Winter Storm in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 02:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 7 inches were reported across the county, with the heaviest amounts found across the far northwest corner.

Winter Storm in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 02:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 7 inches were reported across the county, with the heaviest amounts found in the far northwest corner.

Winter Weather in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 03:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 03:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 04:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 1 to 3 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 04:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 05:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 2 to 4 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 05:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 2 to 4 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 3 to 5 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 3 to 5 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in NANCE, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 03-DEC-11 06:00:00 to 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall totals of 3 to 5 inches were reported across the county.