A cold front was advancing east across central Nebraska around dawn on this Tuesday. Low pressure was along the front over Kansas and was moving east. The front continued eastward through the daytime hours and was at the Iowa border by sunset. The Kansas low moved to the Kansas City area. A broad upper level trough was over the United States, with a potent embedded shortwave trough advancing through the Intermountain West. At the base of this trough, a 120 knot upper level jet streak was ejecting into the Southern Plains. This put the Central Plains in the favorable quadrant for strong and deep upward motion. This system did not have much moisture to work with, so the amount of snow falling around the mid-level portion of the system over western Nebraska was paltry during the previous night and early morning hours. By mid-morning, however, a snow band began organizing from McCook to North Platte to Ainsworth. This snow band increased in size and intensity and advanced into south central Nebraska, appearing to curl around the back side of the mid-level circulation.
Generally, 2 to 6 inches of snow fell along and west of Highway 183. The highest amounts fell along and west of Highway 283. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., heavy snow fell over Furnas and western Dawson counties, along the southern edge of the band. The high snowfall rates and winds resulted in near blizzard conditions. Visibilities were reported near zero over western Dawson County. North winds with sustained speeds around 30 mph were recorded by the automated sites located at the Lexington and Holdrege airports, with peak gusts between 40 and 45 mph. The highest snowfall totals were in and around Gothenburg. A precipitation observer for the state of Nebraska reported over 12 inches, and an article from the Gothenburg Times mentioned 13 inches. The intensity of the snowband rapidly diminished after 2 p.m., as it advanced further across south central Nebraska.

Winter Weather in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-14 14:00:00 to 18-MAR-14 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest storm total snowfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Winter Weather in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-14 14:00:00 to 18-MAR-14 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest storm total snowfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. A NeRAIN Observer 3 west of Ragan also reported 4 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-14 08:00:00 to 18-MAR-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest storm total snowfall ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. NWS Cooperative Observer reports included 6 inches in Cambridge and 4 inches in Wilsonville.

Winter Storm in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-14 08:00:00 to 18-MAR-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest storm total snowfall were reported across far western portions of the county in the Gothenburg area, with some reports of totals near one foot. Difficult driving conditions were reported with visibilities down to one quarter to one half mile at times.

Winter Weather in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-14 08:00:00 to 18-MAR-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest storm total snowfall ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county.  A NWS Cooperative Observer 8 miles south of Elwood reported 4 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 18-MAR-14 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest storm total snowfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. A NeRAIN Observer in Miller also reported 3 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-14 16:00:00 to 18-MAR-14 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest storm total snowfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. A NWS Cooperative Observer in Minden reported 3.9 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-14 16:00:00 to 18-MAR-14 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The highest storm total snowfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county.  A NWS Cooperative Observer 2 miles northeast of Upland reported 3 inches of snow, as did a NeRAIN Observer 5 miles south-southeast of Hildreth.