Between the late afternoon of Tuesday the 15th and the first few hours of Wednesday the 16th, a relatively small-but-intense snow band skirted across mainly the far western and northern fringes of South Central Nebraska, dropping some higher-than-expected totals. Most areas west of a line from Beaver City-Miller-Spalding received at least 1-2 inches. However, embedded within this zone, portions of primarily Dawson, Gosper, Valley and Greeley counties received higher totals up to 4.5. According to a combination of NeRAIN/CoCoRaHS and NWS cooperative observers, some of the highest accumulations featured: 4.5 eight miles south of Elwood, 3.5 near Lexington, 3.2 in Greeley and 3.0 at several locations including Spalding, four miles south of Cozad and nine miles northwest of Ord. To the east of the aforementioned line, very little if any snow fell over the majority of South Central Nebraska. Although this was not a major, high impact event, there were some short-term travel issues. Winds also became a factor especially later in the evening as sustained speeds increased to 20-30 MPH out of the northwest with gusts up to around 40 MPH, likely producing at least some blowing snow despite its wet nature.
Taking a closer look at timing, the beginning stages of what would become a narrow-but-intense, north-south oriented snow band started taking shape over Dawson, Gosper and Furnas counties between 4-6 PM. This feature developed directly under the heart of a strong, closed mid-level low pressure system slowly lifting across Nebraska from northwest-to-southeast. As mid-level frontogenesis strengthened during the evening, this north-south band stood firm and even became quasi-stationary for a few hours under the pivot point of the pronounced mid-level circulation. By the 10 PM-midnight time frame, this snow band finally weakened over the far western counties as it translated slowly to the east and northeast. During this same time, the focus for a somewhat broader zone of accumulating snow shifted northward with the parent low pressure system into Valley/Greeley counties before eventually departing the local area into northeast Nebraska between 1-2 AM. In tandem with the mid-level low, an associated strong surface low of around 996 millibars also tracked northeastward through the heart of South Central Nebraska, promoting the aforementioned gusty northwest winds in its wake.

Winter Weather in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 15-DEC-15 16:00:00 to 16-DEC-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

According to NeRAIN observers, snowfall totals featured 3.5 inches one mile east of Lexington and 3.0 inches four miles south of Cozad.

Winter Weather in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 15-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 16-DEC-15 01:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

According to NeRAIN observers, snowfall totals featured 3.0 inches nine miles northwest of Ord and also 6 miles west of Elyria.

Winter Weather in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 15-DEC-15 21:30:00 to 16-DEC-15 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 3.2 inches occurred in Greeley. Also, a snowfall total of 3.0 inches fell in Spalding, reported by an NeRAIN observer.

Winter Weather in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 15-DEC-15 16:00:00 to 15-DEC-15 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 4.5 inches occurred eight miles south of Elwood. Also, a snowfall total of 3.0 inches occurred 10 miles north-northeast of Arapahoe (reported through NeRAIN).