A strong jet stream moved into the southwest United States on Monday February 1st, and then into the plains on Tuesday February 2nd. This created an intense area of low pressure over the Plains that moved from the Oklahoma Panhandle into Kansas and eventually into northern Missouri. Ahead of the area of low pressure, snow spread into Nebraska and Iowa early in the morning on Tuesday. The snowfall quickly intensified with some thunder and lightning reported in parts of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. The heavy snow continued through the day on Tuesday, especially in northeast Nebraska and west central Iowa, before tapering to flurries Tuesday night. In addition to the heavy snowfall strong winds develop with speeds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph created significant blowing and drifting and blizzard conditions in parts of the area. This resulted in the closing of Interstate 80 west of Lincoln.

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

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Wayne County. Snowfall ranged from 12 to 16 inches across the county with a measured 14 inches in Wayne. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph created snow drifts of 6 to 8 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Blizzard in PIERCE, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 00:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Peirce County. Snowfall ranged from 14 to 18 inches across the county with a measured 18 inches in Peirce. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph created snow drifts of 6 to 8 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Blizzard in THURSTON, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Thurston County. Snowfall ranged from 10 to 15 inches across the county with a measured 14.4 inches in Thurston. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph created snow drifts of 6 to 8 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Winter Storm in SAUNDERS, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 03:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow and strong winds were observed across all of Saunders County. Snowfall ranged from 6 to as much as 9 inches across the county. Specific reports include 7 inches in Wahoo and Ashland. North winds of 20 to 30 with gusts over 40 mph produced considerable blowing and drifting snowfall.

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

Heavy snow and strong winds were observed across all of Sarpy County. Snowfall ranged from 5 to as much as 8 inches across the county. Specific reports include 7 inches in Bellevue, 7 inches in Papillion, and 7.7 inches in Gretna. North winds of 15 to 25 with gusts over 35 mph produced blowing and drifting snowfall. The snowfall came in two rounds, one during the morning on the 2nd, then after a break during the afternoon snow again increased during the evening hours before ending.

Blizzard in KNOX, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 06:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Knox County. Measured snowfall ranged from 15.7 inches in Bloomfield to 5.2 inches inches in Verdel. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph created snow drifts of 6 to 8 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Blizzard in CEDAR, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Cedar County. Snowfall ranged from 12 to 15 inches across the county. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph created snow drifts of 6 to 8 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Blizzard in COLFAX, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 03:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Colfax County. Snowfall ranged from 10 to 12 inches across the county. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 5 to 9 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Blizzard in ANTELOPE, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 00:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Antelope County. Snowfall ranged from 12 to 15 inches across the county with a measured 13 inches in Neligh. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph created snow drifts of 6 to 8 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Blizzard in BURT, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 06:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Burt County. Snowfall ranged from 10 to 12 inches across the county with a measured 11 inches in Tekamah. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 4 to 6 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Blizzard in CUMING, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 04:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Cuming County. Snowfall ranged from 11 to 14 inches across the county with a measured 11 inches in West Point. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 4 to 8 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

Blizzard in STANTON, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 02:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Stanton County. Snowfall ranged from 12 to 16 inches across the county with a measured 15.8 inches in Pilger. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 6 to 10 feet deep in open areas. United States Highway 275 was closed west of Pilger due to blowing snow and deep drifts. Many rural roads were impassible for two days.

Blizzard in MADISON, NEBRASKA
From 01-FEB-16 23:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Madison County. Snowfall ranged from 13 to 16 inches across the county with a measured 14.2 inches in Norfolk. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 5 to 9 feet deep in open areas. United States Highway 275 was closed east of Norfolk due to blowing snow and deep drifts. Many rural roads were impassible for two days.

Blizzard in BOONE, NEBRASKA
From 01-FEB-16 23:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Boone County. Snowfall ranged from 13 to 16 inches across the county with a measured 14.4 inches in Primrose. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 5 to 9 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

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

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Platte County. Snowfall ranged from 11 to 14 inches across the county with a measured 13 inches in Columbus. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 5 to 9 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

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

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Butler County. Snowfall ranged from 8 to 10 inches across the county including a measured 8.5 inches in David City. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph created snow drifts of 3 to 6 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible.

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

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Seward County. Snowfall ranged from 8 to 10 inches across the county including a measured 10 inches in Seward. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 3 to 6 feet deep in open areas. Interstate 80 was closed all across Seward County from Tuesday February 2nd through Wednesday afternoon on February 3rd. Many rural roads were also impassible.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 03:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow and strong winds were observed across all of Washington County. Snowfall ranged from 6 to as much as 11 inches across the county. Specific reports include 8.4 inches in Fort Calhoun, 8 inches in Blair, and 11 inches in Arlington. North winds of 20 to 30 with gusts over 40 mph produced considerable blowing and drifting snowfall.

Winter Storm in DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 03:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow and strong winds were observed across all of Douglas County. Snowfall ranged from 5 to as much as 9 inches across the county. Specific reports include 4.9 inches at Eppley Airfield, 8 inches in Valley, 6.9 inches in southwest Omaha, and 9.5 inches in Bennington. North winds of 15 to 25 with gusts over 35 mph produced blowing and drifting snowfall. The snowfall came in two rounds, one during the morning on the 2nd, then after a break during the afternoon snow again increased during the evening hours before ending.

Winter Storm in LANCASTER, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 02:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and strong winds were observed across central, northern and western Lancaster County. Spotter reports of snowfall in the Lincoln metro was generally from 5 to 7 inches, outside Lincoln snowfall ranged from 4 inches in Roca to 8.5 inches 3 miles west of Raymond. North winds of 15 to 25 with gusts over 35 mph produced considerable blowing and drifting snowfall, which led to the closing of Interstate 80 west of Lincoln across Lancaster County. The snowfall came in two rounds, one during the morning on the 2nd, then after a break during the afternoon snow again increased during the evening hours before ending.

Winter Storm in SALINE, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 02:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow and strong winds were observed across central and northern Saline County. Snowfall ranged from 5 to 10 inches across the county including specific reports of 9.5 inches in Friend, 8 inches in Dorchester, 6 inches in Wilbur, and 5.5 inches in Swanton. North winds of 15 to 25 with gusts over 35 mph produced considerable blowing and drifting snowfall.

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

Heavy snow and strong winds were observed across northern and western Cass County. Snowfall ranged from 5 to as much as 7 inches across these areas of the county. Specific reports include 4.5 inches in Plattsmouth, and 5.5 inches in Louisville. North winds of 15 to 25 with gusts over 35 mph produced blowing and drifting snowfall.

Blizzard in DODGE, NEBRASKA
From 02-FEB-16 03:00:00 to 02-FEB-16 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow and widespread blowing and drifting snow was observed across all of Dodge County, but the blizzard conditions were especially worse in the western half of the county. Snowfall ranged from 9 to 11 inches across the county. Fremont reported 10 inches, and Hooper reported 11 inches. North winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts over 45 mph created snow drifts of 3 to 6 feet deep in open areas. Many rural roads were impassible in the western half of the county.