Rain changed to sleet and snow from northwest to southeast across much of northeast Kansas.  The rain changed to snow after 9pm across north central Kansas and after midnight across the rest of northeast Kansas.  The snow was heavy at times and many areas received between 2 and 6 inches of snow.  What was most notable about this storm was the strong northwest winds that gusted to over 50 mph at times.  This created near blizzard conditions for a 3-6 hour period during the pre-dawn hours of December 20th.  The decision to verify winter storm conditions was based off of the combined impacts of the falling snow and strong winds that created near blizzard conditions during the early morning rush hour of December 20th.

Winter Storm in GEARY, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Public

Spotters reported a wide range of snow estimates and measurements.  Anywhere from 2 to as much as 4 inches of snow was reported across the county.  However, strong winds gusting to as high as 50 mph created near blizzard conditions between midnight and 6 am.  The impacts of the snow and winds are the basis for the decision to verify the winter storm warning for Geary County.
A fatality accident occurred on December 20th when a vehicle lost control on the icy roadway and crashed into a dump truck on Interstate 70 at Grandview Plaza.  The driver of the vehicle died at Geary Community hospital.  The passenger was taken to the hospital due to injuries sustained in the accident.

Winter Storm in RILEY, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters reported 2 to 4 inches of snow across Riley County with the heaviest amounts in the northern half of the county.  Winds gusting to 50 mph created near blizzard conditions through sunrise.

Winter Storm in NEMAHA, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters reported 3 to 6 inches of snow across Nemaha County with the heaviest amounts in the northern half of the county.  Sleet was also reported at the onset of the snow around midnight.  Winds gusting to 50 mph created near blizzard conditions through sunrise.

Winter Storm in JACKSON, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 23:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Spotters reported 2 to 5 inches of snow across Jackson County with the heaviest amounts in the northern half of the county.  Sleet was also reported at the onset of the snow around midnight.  Winds gusting to 50 mph created near blizzard conditions through sunrise along with drifts of 2 to 3 feet.

Winter Storm in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 23:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

EM, various sources including spotters and NWS employees reported a wide range of snow estimates and measurements.  Anywhere from 1 to as much as 4 inches of snow was reported across the county.  However, strong winds gusting to as high as 58 mph at Forbes Field created near blizzard conditions between midnight and 6 am.  The impacts of the snow and winds are the basis for the decision to verify the winter storm warning for Shawnee County.  State offices delayed opening until 10am CST and the majority of USD schools were closed in the county.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters reported 2 to 5 inches of snow across Washington County.  Winds gusting to 50 mph created near blizzard conditions through sunrise.

Winter Storm in WABAUNSEE, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 23:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters reported a wide range of snow estimates and measurements.  Anywhere from 2 to as much as 4 inches of snow was reported across the county.  However, strong winds gusting to as high as 50 mph created near blizzard conditions between midnight and 6 am.  The impacts of the snow and winds are the basis for the decision to verify the winter storm warning for Wabaunsee County.

Winter Storm in REPUBLIC, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Anywhere from 2 to as much as 4 inches of snow was reported across the county.  However, strong winds gusting to as high as 50 mph created near blizzard conditions between 10 pm and 4 am.  The impacts of the snow and winds are the basis for the decision to verify the winter storm warning for Republic County.

Winter Storm in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters reported 3 to 5 inches of snow across Marshall County.  Winds gusting to 50 mph created near blizzard conditions through sunrise.

Winter Storm in BROWN, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 23:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters reported 2 to 5 inches of snow across Brown County with the heaviest amounts in the northern half of the county.  Sleet was also reported at the onset of the snow around midnight.  Winds gusting to 50 mph created near blizzard conditions through sunrise.

Winter Storm in POTTAWATOMIE, KANSAS
From 19-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters reported 2 to 6 inches of snow across Pottawatomie County with the heaviest amounts in the northern half of the county.  Sleet was also reported at the onset of the snow around midnight.  Winds gusting to 50 mph created near blizzard conditions through sunrise.

Winter Storm in JEFFERSON, KANSAS
From 20-DEC-12 01:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency Management and spotters reported a wide range of snow estimates and measurements.  Anywhere from 2 to as much as 4 inches of snow was reported across the county.  However, strong winds gusting to as high as 50 mph created near blizzard conditions between midnight and 6 am.  The impacts of the snow and winds are the basis for the decision to verify the winter storm warning for Jefferson County.