An unusual October winter storm affected much of south central Kansas on October 26th and 27th. The event started during the early morning hours of Monday, October 26th as a mix of sleet and snow with a second round on Tuesday which consisted of mostly sleet and freezing rain. Locations across Cowley, Chautauqua, Elk and Montogomery counties saw the most significant ice accumulation. The towns of Winfield and especially Arkansas City were hit hard, with numerous reports of widespread power outages along with large trees down.
Wichita set new snowfall records for both October 26th and 27th. The 1.3 inches on the 26th was the most snow Wichita has ever received that early.  The 1.6 inches from both days combined makes October 2020 the 2nd snowiest October on record for Wichita.

Winter Weather in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 25-OCT-20 21:48:00 to 27-OCT-20 13:25:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Public

A winter mix prevailed across the county causing minor nuisances for travel.  The precipitation began as freezing drizzle then transitioned over to snow.  Snowfall amounts across the county varied between 1 to 2 inches.  Officially, the 1.3 inches on the 26th was the most snow Wichita had ever received this early in the season.  Secondly, the 1.6 inch storm total made this the 2nd snowiest month on record for the county.  Ice accumulations up to 0.15 inches were noted as well.

Winter Weather in SUMNER, KANSAS
From 26-OCT-20 01:25:00 to 27-OCT-20 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A wintry mix prevailed over a couple of days across the county.  Snowfall amounts of one half to 2 and a half inches were reported.  To go along with the snow, ice accumulations of just over one tenth of an inch occurred.

Winter Weather in COWLEY, KANSAS
From 26-OCT-20 01:55:00 to 27-OCT-20 10:48:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A mixture of light snow and freezing drizzle and rain were noted across the county.

Ice Storm in COWLEY, KANSAS
From 27-OCT-20 06:30:00 to 27-OCT-20 15:25:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Widespread power lines and trees were reported down across the county with Winfield and Arkansas City were the hardest hit.  Tree limbs of 6 to 10 inches in diameter were downed and power was out a significant amount of time throughout the event. Up to one half inch ice accumulation was reported.

Winter Weather in CHAUTAUQUA, KANSAS
From 26-OCT-20 02:30:00 to 27-OCT-20 10:48:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A mix of snow fell for much of the 26th before the second system to affect the county on the 27th.  Snow amounts up to one half inch were noted along with some ice accumulation.

Ice Storm in CHAUTAUQUA, KANSAS
From 27-OCT-20 08:00:00 to 27-OCT-20 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tree limbs were reported down across the county with power outages in Cedarvale and other communities.

Winter Weather in ELK, KANSAS
From 26-OCT-20 02:30:00 to 27-OCT-20 10:48:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A mixture of light snow and freezing rain was causing some minor issues across the county.

Ice Storm in ELK, KANSAS
From 27-OCT-20 08:00:00 to 27-OCT-20 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees and power lines were reported at many locations across the county.  The communities of Moline, Howard, and Grenola were hit the hardest.  Power outages were also reported.

Winter Weather in MONTGOMERY, KANSAS
From 26-OCT-20 07:15:00 to 27-OCT-20 15:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A wintry mixture occurred across the county with it all beginning as rain and then switching over to snow.  The second round of weather also continued to be a wintry mix as ice was added to the mix this go round.  The temperatures hovered right at freezing making any one type of precipitation difficult. Snow amounts generally remained less than one inch and ice accumulations varied from a trace to 0.2 inches.

Winter Weather in WILSON, KANSAS
From 26-OCT-20 06:30:00 to 27-OCT-20 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A wintry mix occurred across the county.  Snow amounts were generally less than 0.5 inches and ice accumulations up to 0.15 inches were reported.

Winter Weather in NEOSHO, KANSAS
From 26-OCT-20 07:15:00 to 27-OCT-20 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A wintry mix occurred across the county.  Snow amounts were generally less than 0.5 inches and ice accumulations up to 0.10 inches were reported.

Winter Weather in GREENWOOD, KANSAS
From 26-OCT-20 03:55:00 to 27-OCT-20 13:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A wintry mix occurred across the county.  Snow amounts were generally less than 1 inch and ice accumulations up to 0.15 inches were reported.

Winter Weather in KINGMAN, KANSAS
From 25-OCT-20 23:00:00 to 27-OCT-20 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A wintry mix occurred across the county.  Snow amounts were generally less than 2 inches and ice accumulations up to 0.1 inches were reported.