The first significant winter storm of the 2012-2013 season brought widespread snowfall of generally 2-5 inches to the entire six-county area, but more notably several hours of near-blizzard to blizzard conditions that greatly enhanced event impacts. Officially, this was the first blizzard to strike this portion of North Central Kansas in nearly three years...since the Christmas 2009 event. Wind and blowing snow created white-out conditions that gradually overspread the area from west-to-east during the late afternoon and early evening hours of Wednesday the 19th, making travel difficult if not impossible. Prior to the arrival of moderate to heavy snow bands, much of the day featured little more than spotty passing rain showers before the arrival of colder air. During the evening hours, full-fledged blizzard conditions blossomed across parts of the area as an expansive shield of snow combined with steadily increasing north winds featuring sustained speeds generally 25-35 MPH but frequently gusting 40-45 MPH and sometimes higher. Primarily between 9 PM on the 19th and 1 AM on Thursday the 20th, the back edge of moderate to heavy snowfall gradually cleared the area from west to east, releasing its grip on the Highway 281 corridor around 11 PM. Even in the wake of falling snow, late night wind speeds were slow to decrease, keeping blowing snow going into the morning hours of the 20th. Per NWS cooperative observers, some of the highest snow totals included 5.2 in Smith Center and 5 in Phillipsburg.
On the synoptic scale, this event was driven by a powerful, expansive mid-upper level trough translating eastward through the Central Plains, and featuring a closed 700 millibar low tracking across the northern half of Kansas. The most intense snow bands during the evening were associated with stout frontogenesis/deformation on the northwest side of the mid level circulation. At the surface, strong north winds and blizzard/winter storm conditions were promoted by a tight pressure gradient on the north side of roughly 996 millibar low that tracked along the Kansas/Oklahoma border during the afternoon and evening.

Blizzard in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 16:00:00 to 19-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blowing and drifting snow caused visibility of one quarter mile or less along with drifts of 2 to 3 feet. Around four inches of snow fell. The AWOS at the Phillipsburg airport indicated decreasing visibility to around 1/2 mile by late afternoon and early evening before malfunctioning. The AWOS site indicated frequent wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph.

Blizzard in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 16:00:00 to 19-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A nearby AWOS indicated probable blizzard conditions, in association with generally 2-4 inches of snow.

Blizzard in SMITH, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 17:00:00 to 19-DEC-12 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A nearby AWOS indicated probable blizzard conditions, in association with generally 3-5 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 19:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Nearby reports indicated restricted visibility of one quarter to one half mile along with wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph. The length of the event is supported by archived radar data.

Winter Storm in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 18:00:00 to 19-DEC-12 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Nearby reports indicated restricted visibility of one quarter to one half mile along with wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph. The length of the event is supported by archived radar data.

Winter Storm in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 19:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Nearby reports indicated restricted visibility of one quarter to one half mile along with wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph. The length of the event is supported by archived radar data.