One of the most significant winter storms/blizzards on record slammed this 24-county South Central Nebraska area during the first two days of February, with the vast majority of impacts occurring on Tuesday the 2nd as a crippling combination of heavy snow and strong winds brought travel and commerce to a halt. Among numerous other road closures, Interstate 80 was shut down for roughly 24 hours between Lincoln and North Platte. In terms of snow totals alone, this ranked as the second-biggest storm on record for Grand Island (18.3 inches) and was the fourth-largest, two-day storm on record at Hastings (15.7). During the height of the storm during the pre-dawn and daytime hours of the 2nd, sustained winds across most of the area averaged 30-40 MPH with gusts commonly 40-50 MPH, initially out of the northeast but gradually shifting more north-northwest with time. Factoring in the widespread impacts of blizzard/whiteout conditions and drifting snow over such a large area, this was easily the worst winter storm to impact South Central Nebraska in over six years, since the Christmas Blizzard of 2009. Just in Hall County alone, snow removal and other public works related costs tallied over $438,000. Given that this storm primarily struck on Feb. 2nd, many will remember it as the Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2016.
According to dozens of NWS cooperative observers, the majority of the 24-county area accumulated snow totals between 10-16, with a few of the highest official amounts featuring 18.3 at Grand Island, 18.0 at Wilsonville and 16.5 at Holdrege. Only the extreme southeast corner of the local area was spared the worst conditions, as much of Fillmore and especially Thayer counties only saw 5-8 inches. Also in the Thayer County area, winds were not quite as intense through most of the event, with less in the way of true-blizzard conditions. In terms of liquid equivalent precipitation, this storm helped propel many locations to a top-10 wettest meteorological winter on record thanks to liquid totals ranging from 0.70-1.60 in most places, and as high as 1.81 in Grand Island.
Breaking down the timing and meteorological background of this two-day event, the initial bands of generally light snow started sneaking into the area from the southwest during the pre-dawn and daytime hours of the 1st, driven mainly by broad mid-level lift well out ahead of the primary large-scale trough approaching from the Intermountain West. By sunset, several western counties such as Furnas, Gosper and Phelps had already picked up 2-4 of snow, but winds were still fairly light with sustained speeds generally around 15 MPH. By around midnight, additional bands of light to moderate snow had boosted totals as high as 7 in far southwestern locations such as Cambridge, but most of South Central Nebraska had 2 or less. During the pre-dawn hours of the 2nd, conditions went downhill fast as an organized, large band of moderate to heavy snow lifted across the area from south-to-north, driven by increasing synoptic-scale forcing to the north of a powerful, closed mid-level low churning into southwestern Kansas. At the same time, northeast winds ramped up considerably in response to surface low pressure deepening to around 994 millibars over central Kansas by daybreak. By 6-7 a.m., full-blown blizzard conditions were solidly in place across most of the local area, with 11.8 of snow reported at Cambridge, 10 at Holdrege and 6 at places such as Grand Island, Hastings and Osceola. During the day, blizzard conditions raged on across most of the area as the nearly vertically-stacked, powerhouse low pressure system tracked to the NE/KS/IA/MO border area by sunset. Central locations such as Grand Island ended up receiving some of the highest snow totals as they spent the most time under enhanced snow bands within the main deformation zone on the backside of the departing low. In contrast, far southeast counties (namely Thayer) saw reduced snow coverage/intensity as a mid-level dry slot nosed up from the south. By mid-evening, the vast majority of accumulating snow had ended as the surface and upper-level storm system departed into Iowa. However, travel remained treacherous thanks to northerly winds still gusting 35-45 MPH. Fortunately, winds eased considerably during the overnight hours, and by daybreak on the 3rd sustained speeds were down to 10-15 MPH in most areas.
From a forecast perspective, this event was an overall victory. The initial Winter Storm Watch came out nearly three days in advance of the worst conditions and the first Blizzard and Winter Storm Warnings were issued over 36 hours before the main impacts began. In addition, although the details certainly evolved with time, this was one of those fairly rare instances when computer models correctly latched onto the likelihood for a high-impact winter storm more than a week in advance.

Blizzard in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A snow total of 15.7 inches occurred at the National Weather Service in Hastings. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less. This is the fourth highest two-day snow total on record.

Blizzard in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 2-day snow total of 12.0 inches occurred in Clay Center. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 05:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 8.5 inches occurred 4 miles south of Shickley and 8.0 inches occurred in Geneva. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A snow total of 18.3 inches occurred in Grand Island. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less. This is the second highest two-day snowfall total on record.

Blizzard in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 05:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A snow total of 11.9 inches occurred 4 miles north of Aurora. Frequent wind gusts over 40 mph and visibility of less than one quarter mile occurred as heavy snow fell, recorded by AWOS at Aurora.

Blizzard in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 05:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A 2-day snow total of 12.4 inches occurred 3 miles north of York, 11.5 inches occurred three miles west of Gresham, and 10.4 inches occurred in Bradshaw, all reported by cooperative observers. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less, reported by AWOS.

Blizzard in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 05:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 14.3 inches occurred in St. Paul. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 05:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 12.5 inches occurred in Central City. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 06:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Two-day snow totals included 12.7 inches three miles northeast of Shelby, 11.5 inches in Osceola and 11.0 inches in Polk. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in NANCE, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 06:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 12.0 inches occurred in Belgrade and 12.3 inches occurred 2 miles west of Genoa. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 12.2 inches occurred in Ravenna, and 10.0 inches occurred in Miller, reported by cooperative observers. Also, an NWS official observation 11.0 inches occurred at the Kearney Airport. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less, reported by AWOS.

Blizzard in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 01:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 18.0 inches occurred in Wilsonville, 15.0 inches occurred in Beaver City, 13.2 inches occurred in Cambridge, 12.5 inches occurred in Edison, and 12.0 inches occurred 6 miles north northwest of Oxford. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 02:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Whiteout conditions along with about a foot of snow were reported in Alma. Numerous power outages were also reported. A snow total of 14.5 inches occurred 10 miles south of Wilcox and 12.0 inches occurred at Harlan County Lake. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused the whiteout conditions.

Blizzard in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 03:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Frequent wind gusts over 40 mph and visibility of less than one quarter mile occurred as heavy snow fell, recorded by AWOS at Lexington. A snow total of 14.5 inches occurred in Cozad, reported by a cooperative observer.

Blizzard in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 07:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 2-day snow total of 12.0 inches occurred in Ord and 11.0 inches occurred in Arcadia, reported by cooperative observers. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less, reported by ASOS.

Blizzard in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 07:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 13.6 inches occurred in Greeley. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 05:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 13.5 inches occurred in Loup City. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 02:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 15.2 inches occurred 8 miles south of Elwood and 10.0 inches fell at the Canaday Power Plant, 6 miles south southeast of Lexington. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 02:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Frequent wind gusts over 40 mph and visibility of less than one quarter mile occurred as heavy snow fell, with 16.5 inches measured by the cooperative observer in Holdrege.

Blizzard in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 16.2 inches occurred two miles east-northeast of Axtell at the NTV studios. Also, 14.0 inches fell in Minden, reported by a cooperative observer. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 03:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 2-day snow total of 11.5 inches occurred in Franklin and 10.0 inches occurred in Naponee. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Blizzard in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 15.0 inches occurred in Bladen. Also, 14.3 inches fell 4 miles southwest of Blue Hill. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.

Winter Storm in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 01:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 2-day snow total of 8.0 inches occurred in Bruning, 6.0 inches occurred in Hubbell, and 4.7 inches occurred in Hebron. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph caused visibility to be less than a mile at times.

Blizzard in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snow total of 12.0 inches occurred in Superior. The combination of this snow and frequent wind gusts over 40 mph caused visibility to be one quarter mile or less.