A powerful winter storm moved into the central Plains during the weekend of March 9-10th. The system initially brought warm weather and scattered showers and thunderstorms on the evening of the 8th into the morning of the 9th. As the main upper level storm system emerged on the Plains late on the 9th, a strong cold front moved from northwest to southeast across the area. Precipitation redeveloped behind this cold front associated with the upper level storm system and quickly changed from light rain to light snow during the early morning hours of the 10th. Isolated reports of sleet and light freezing rain were reported as the precipitation changed from light rain to snow, but significant ice accumulations were not reported. The snow, occasionally heavy, then continued through the day on the 10th and ended in the early morning hours on Monday March 11. Also associated with the system were strong northwest winds. Wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph were common during the day on Sunday March 10th leading to considerable blowing and drifting of the falling snow and reduced visibilities. This combination led to numerous traffic accidents and for authorities to close Interstate 80 for a time west of Lincoln in Lancaster and Seward Counties. Most schools were closed on Monday the 11th due to the poor travel conditions. Some of the higher snowfall totals ranged from 8.5 inches at the Naitonal Weather Service in Valley and in Seward, 9 inches at Eppley Airfield in Omaha and also in North Bend, 11 inches was reported in David City, and Fremont recorded 11.5 inches. Generally snowfall amounts of 6 to 11 inches were common with the event in the heaviest band.

Winter Storm in LANCASTER, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 04:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A strong gradient of heavy snow fell across the county. Snowfall ranged from a reported 8.3 inches in Raymond to near 2 inches in the far southern part of the county. Lincoln reported 7 inches.

Blizzard in LANCASTER, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Area automated observations indicated winds of 35 to 40 mph were common from late morning and into the afternoon hours on the 10th. The combination of the winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very low visibilities for several hours. These conditions resulted in authorities closing both directions of Interstate 80 for several hours on the 10th from Lincoln west through Lancaster County. The poor road conditions also led to one fatal accident on a state highway.

Winter Storm in BUTLER, NEBRASKA
From 09-MAR-13 19:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A mix of light freezing rain and sleet changed quickly over to heavy snow across the county on the evening of the 9th. Snowfall totals were generally from 9 to 11 inches across the county. The highest reported total was 11.5 inches in David City.

Blizzard in BURT, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 08:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Area automated observations indicated winds of 40 to 45 mph were common from late morning and into the afternoon hours on the 10th. The combination of the winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very low visibilities for several hours.

Winter Storm in SAUNDERS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 03:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Widespread heavy snow was reported across the county from the event. Snowfall totals generally ranged from 7 to 10 inches. In Ceresco 9.1 inches fell, and 8.2 was reported south of Mead. Amateur radio reported 9 inches in Cedar Bluffs and 6 inches near Linwood.

Blizzard in BUTLER, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Area automated observations indicated winds of 35 to 40 mph were common from late morning and into the afternoon hours on the 10th. The combination of the winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very low visibilities for several hours.

Blizzard in SAUNDERS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 09:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Area automated observations indicated winds of 35 to 40 mph were common from late morning and into the afternoon hours on the 10th. The combination of the winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very low visibilities for several hours. These conditions conditions led to scattered power outages  across the county. There were also several accidents reported in the county including two injury accidents on state highways.

Winter Storm in DODGE, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 02:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow fell over the majority of the county from the winter storm. The heaviest of the snowfall fell in the southern half of the county with 11.5 inches reported in Fremont, 9 inches in North Bend, 7.5 in Nickerson, and 7 inches in Uehling. Snowfall totals quickly diminished in the northwest part of the county around Dodge and Snyder.

Blizzard in DODGE, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 11:30:00 to 10-MAR-13 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Area automated observations indicated winds of 35 to 40 mph were common from late morning and into the afternoon hours on the 10th. The combination of the winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very low visibilities for several hours.

Winter Weather in COLFAX, NEBRASKA
From 09-MAR-13 19:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A strong gradient in snow fell across the county. Snowfall of around 2 inches fell in the north to near 6 inches along the southern border. Nearby snowfall totals ranged from 9 inches just east of the county in North Bend, and 11 inches just to the south in David City.

Blizzard in SEWARD, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Area automated observations indicated winds of 35 to 40 mph were common from late morning and into the afternoon hours on the 10th. The combination of the winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very low visibilities for several hours. These conditions resulted in authorities closing both directions of Interstate 80 for several hours on the 10th.

Blizzard in WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Area automated observations indicated winds of 40 to 45 mph were common from late morning and into the afternoon hours on the 10th. The combination of the winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very low visibilities for several hours.

Winter Weather in CUMING, NEBRASKA
From 09-MAR-13 19:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A strong gradient in snow fell across the county. Snowfall of around 2 inches fell in the northwest to near 6 inches along the southeast border. Nearby snowfall totals included 7 inches in Uehling to the southeast, but only 2.5 inches in Nofolk to the west of the county.

Blizzard in DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 13:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Area automated observations indicated winds of 40 to 45 mph were common during the afternoon hours on the 10th. The combination of the winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very low visibilities for several hours.

Winter Storm in SEWARD, NEBRASKA
From 09-MAR-13 19:30:00 to 10-MAR-13 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A mix of light freezing rain and sleet changed quickly over to heavy snow across the county on the evening of the 9th. Snowfall ranged from 7 to 9 inches across the county with a storm total of 8.5 inches reported in Seward.

Winter Weather in THURSTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-MAR-13 19:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall of 3 to 6 inches occurred across the county. The combination of the winds and snowfall led to travel problems, including the closing of Interstate 29 just to the east of the county in western Iowa for several hours.

Winter Weather in JEFFERSON, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A sharp gradient in snowfall was observed from this system with only 1 inch of snow reported in the far southern part of the county, to 2.5 inches in Fairbury, with the northern half of the county seeing the heavier snow, including 4 inches in Daykin.

Winter Storm in DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 03:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Snow developed in the northwest part of the county first, and then spread across the rest of the county during the morning hours of the 10th. Occasional heavy snow then fell across most of the county. The snowfall was heaviest in the northern half of the county. Snowfall totals of 9 inches were reported at Eppley Airport, 8.5 inches at the National Weather Service in Valley, and there were numerous spotter reports of 6 to 9 inches as well.

Winter Storm in BURT, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 00:30:00 to 11-MAR-13 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow fell across most of the county during the winter storm. Snowfall was the highest in the central and southern half of the county with amounts ranging from near 6 inches in the far northwest to near 10 inches in the south.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 01:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow was widespread across the county. Snowfall was generally 9 to 11 inches across the county.

Winter Weather in OTOE, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Estimated snowfall of 3 to 5 inches fell across the county. Nearby reports included 7 inches in Lincoln.

Winter Storm in SARPY, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 07:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow fell across all of the county associated with this winter storm. Snowfall totals ranged from 8.6 inches in Gretna to 6 inches in Bellevue.

Winter Weather in SALINE, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall of 2 to 5 inches was observed across the county. Including 3.5 inches in Wilber and 5.2 inches in Friend.

Winter Weather in CASS, NEBRASKA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Estimated snowfall ranged from around 3 inches in the southeast part of the county to nearly 7 inches in the far northwest. Nearby snowfall reports included 7 inches in Lincoln, 8.6 inches to the north in Gretna, and 6 inches in Bellevue.