This Thursday featured one of the most intense, narrow snow bands of the 2010-2011 winter season across South Central Nebraska, targeting locations between Interstate 80 and the Kansas border. This snow event centered squarely on the daytime hours, kicking into gear by mid to late morning, and pulling out of the southeast counties by early evening. Although this storm featured a typical mid level trough traversing the area, there was enough instability aloft to trigger the development of narrow mesoscale band of snow, which at its peak intensity during the afternoon was only 20 miles wide at most, and extending along a line from near Franklin and Alma, east-northeast through the Blue Hill, Clay Center and Geneva areas. Hourly snowfall rates within this band were easily 1-2 inches per hour for several hours, with storm total reports under the band tallying a widespread 5-9 inches, and locally higher amounts of 10-12 inches. The highest totals of 12 inches were from the Blue Hill and Bladen areas. Not suprisingly, snowfall totals tailed off considerably within 30 miles either side of the intense snow band, quickly dropping into the 2-5 inch range. Across Adams County alone, snowfall varied dramatically, ranging from 2 inches or less along the northern fringes of the county, to at least 8-10 inches across far southern areas. The northern half of South Central Nebraska was spared signifcant snowfall altogether, with locations generally north of a line from Elwood-Grand Island-Osceola lucky to see 1 inch, if even that. Winds during this snow event were from the north-northeast, with sustained speeds averaging 15-20 MPH and gusts into the 25-30 MPH range, resulting in at least some drifting.

Winter Weather in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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

Winter Storm in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm snowfall total of 6 to 9 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Weather in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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

Winter Weather in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

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

Winter Storm in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm snowfall total of 8 to 10 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Storm in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm snowfall total of 6 to 9 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Storm in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Storm snowfall total of 9 to 11 inches were reported across the county.

Winter Storm in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Storm snowfall total of 10 to 12 inches were reported across the county, resulting in Highway 281 being closed for a period of time during the afternoon between Blue Hill and Red Cloud.

Winter Weather in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

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

Winter Storm in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 24-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Storm snowfall total of 8 to 10 inches were reported across mainly the southern half of the county.