During a winter that featured well-below normal snowfall and little in the way of high-impact weather across most of this 24-county South Central Nebraska area, this roughly 24-hour, multi-faceted event qualified as one of the more notable round of the season, featuring near-blizzard conditions and problematic icing. In terms of snow totals, counties along and north of Highway 92 bore the brunt of this storm with a fairly widespread coverage of 4-8���, including NWS Cooperative Observer reports of 7.5��� at Greeley, 7��� at Ord, 5.2��� at Arcadia and Loup City, 4.8��� near Shelby and 4.3��� in St. Paul. Southward from there, lesser totals of generally 2-4��� prevailed along and near the Interstate 80 and Highway 6 corridors, including 4��� near Lexington, 3.6��� at Kearney, 3.3��� at Hastings, 3��� in Holdrege and Minden and 2.9��� in Grand Island. Closer to the Kansas border, snowfall averaged only 1-2���, including 1.7��� at Hebron and 1.5��� at Red Cloud. However, despite the fact that the majority of South Central Nebraska did not see truly heavy snow totals, those numbers only tell a part of the this storm���s story, as various areas also experienced one or more of the following:  impactful ice accretion from steady freezing drizzle, at least a few hours of blowing snow and near white-out conditions, thunderstorms producing sleet/graupel and even small hail.
Breaking down timing/impacts in greater detail, wintry precipitation first got underway on the afternoon of Thursday the 23rd as scattered rain showers gradually mixed with and changed over to snow, initially affecting roughly the northwest half of South Central Nebraska. Then during the evening, while snow temporarily ended/diminished in northwestern counties, a new area of convectively-enhanced precipitation blossomed in southeastern zones, especially southeast of a Red Cloud-York line. Between 6-10 PM, many places within this area reported brief, intense thunder snow, sleet/graupel or even small hail. Once this evening band of convective precipitation exited eastward, the majority of South Central Nebraska (except for some far northern counties) experienced a multiple-hour lull in snow that lasted well beyond midnight, thanks to the invasion of a mid-level dry slot. Unfortunately though, this dry slot allowed steady freezing drizzle to take ���center stage��� for several hours, slickening roadways across many counties. In places such as Hastings and Grand Island, ice accretion totaled as much as one to two tenths of an inch. As the late-night wore on, freezing drizzle gradually ended from northwest-to-southeast as snow and blowing snow gradually filled back in, driven by northerly winds sustained at generally 20-30 MPH and gusting up to around 40 MPH. By sunrise on Friday the 24th, the main snow band stretched across the heart of South Central Nebraska (including the Tri Cities), while in its wake snow had pretty much ended in northern counties such as Valley/Greeley. Over the course of the morning and early afternoon, this snow band continued sliding southeast through the remainder of South Central Nebraska, resulting in at least brief, near-blizzard conditions with its passage. In central communities such as Hastings and Grand Island, measurable snow largely ended by 11 AM-noon, while it was closer to 2 PM before accumulating flakes vacated far southeast locations such as Hebron. While pockets of blowing snow lingered through late afternoon, conditions improved area-wide by evening as winds gradually diminished.
In the mid-upper levels, this winter storm was driven by the gradual passage of a broad, large-scale trough axis, with the primary 700-millibar low pressure center tracking from the CO/WY border on the morning of the 23rd, to central Nebraska by evening and reaching central Iowa by mid-day on the 24th. During this same time frame, a strong surface low pressure system with a magnitude of generally 992-996 millibars tracked from southeast Colorado and across the KS/OK border before swinging northeast across Missouri and Illinois, with a tight pressure gradient on its north/northwest side driving the strong north winds across South Central Nebraska. From a temperature perspective, this system brought to a screeching halt a remarkable stretch of well-above normal warmth that had dominated the preceding two weeks. In fact, both Grand Island and Hastings notched their warmest two-week February stretch on record between the 10th-23rd, including six days that exceeded 70 degrees.

Winter Storm in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 7.5 inches occurred 5 miles southwest of Elyria; 7.0 inches occurred in Ord, and 5.2 inches in Arcadia.  The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Storm in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 7.5 inches occurred in Greeley; 7.5 inches occurred 8 miles north northeast of Scotia; 7.0 inches fell 4 miles east of Scotia; and 5.0 inches fell in Spalding. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Storm in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 5.2 inches occurred in Loup City; 4.7 inches occurred two miles northwest of Rockville. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Storm in NANCE, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 4.0 inches occurred nine miles northeast of Palmer; 4.0 inches occurred 2 miles west of Genoa; and 2.8 inches fell in Belgrade. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Storm in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 5.0 inches occurred in Dannebrog; 4.3 inches occurred in St. Paul.  The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A snowfall total of 3.5 inches occurred four miles east northeast of St. Libory and 1.5 inches occurred in Central City. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also likely up to a few hours of light freezing drizzle in between rounds of snow.

Winter Weather in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 18:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 4.8 inches occurred three miles northeast of Shelby and 3.2 inches occurred in Osceola. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in brief, near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 3.7 inches occurred in Miller; 3.6 inches occurred at the Kearney Airport; and 3.0 inches fell in Ravenna. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also likely up to a few hours of light freezing drizzle in between rounds of snow.

Winter Weather in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A snowfall total of 4.0 inches occurred six miles southwest of Lexington; 3.5 inches occurred 7 miles east of Cozad; and 3.2 inches fell one mile east of Lexington. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also likely up to a few hours of light freezing drizzle in between rounds of snow.

Winter Weather in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A snowfall total of 3.5 inches occurred two miles north of Cairo and 2.9 inches occurred at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also at least a few hours of light freezing drizzle before most of the snow fell, with 0.14 inches of horizontal ice accrual measured by the Grand Island ASOS.

Winter Weather in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 2.3 inches occurred four miles north of Aurora. Snow came in two bursts.The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also likely up to a few hours of light freezing drizzle in between rounds of snow.

Winter Weather in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 18:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 4.0 inches occurred three miles west of Gresham; 3.2 inches occurred three miles north of York; and 1.9 inches fell in Bradshaw. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in brief, near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 2.0 inches occurred eight miles south Elwood. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 3.0 inches occurred in Holdrege. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 17:30:00 to 24-FEB-17 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 3.0 inches occurred in Minden. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also likely up to a few hours of light freezing drizzle in between rounds of snow.

Winter Weather in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 17:30:00 to 24-FEB-17 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A snowfall total of 3.2 inches occurred at the National Weather Service Office near Hastings. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also a few hours of steady freezing drizzle before most of the snow fell, with one to two tenths of an inch of measured ice accrual.

Winter Weather in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 17:30:00 to 24-FEB-17 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 3.0 inches occurred in Clay Center.  The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also likely up to a few hours of light freezing drizzle in between rounds of snow.

Winter Weather in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 18:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 2.0 inches occurred in both Geneva and four miles south of Shickley.  The first burst of a little snow (along with perhaps some sleet and small hail) occurred on the evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning and early afternoon of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in brief, near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 1.3 inches fell six miles north northwest of Oxford and 1.0 inches occurred in Cambridge. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in brief, near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snow came in two bursts and likely accumulated a total around an inch based on nearby observations. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in brief, near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 16:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow came in two bursts and accumulated a total of an inch in Franklin. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also likely up to a few hours of light freezing drizzle in between rounds of snow.

Winter Weather in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 17:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow came in two bursts and accumulated a total of 2.2 inches four miles southwest of Blue Hill. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in near-blizzard conditions. There was also likely up to a few hours of light freezing drizzle in between rounds of snow.

Winter Weather in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 17:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow came in two bursts and accumulated a total of an 1.1 inches in Superior. The first burst of a little snow occurred on the afternoon and evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning and early afternoon of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in brief, near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.

Winter Weather in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 23-FEB-17 17:00:00 to 24-FEB-17 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow came in two bursts and accumulated totals of 2.2 inches at Hubbell and 1.7 inches at Hebron. The first burst of a little snow (along with perhaps some sleet and small hail) occurred on the evening of February 23rd, and the second occurrence was during the morning and early afternoon of February 24th, accompanied by wind gusts to around 40 mph resulting in brief, near-blizzard conditions. There was also perhaps a short interlude of light freezing drizzle.