Although not as historic/impactful as its infamous predecessor exactly 14 years prior (the Christmas Blizzard of 2009), Christmas 2023 nonetheless gifted South Central Nebraska the most impactful snow event to strike on the holiday since then. This one took the form of a moderately-strong winter storm featuring at least brief/sporadic blizzard conditions, prompting various travel-related issues/accidents...including at least a brief closure of Interstate 80 mainly between York and Aurora. Across the state as a whole, the Nebraska State Patrol reported that it responded to around 150 weather-related incidents. The wintry Christmas Day weather was actually the main act of a slow-moving low pressure system that dropped various rounds of precipitation within South Central Nebraska between the 23rd-26th. Precipitation started out as rain in most areas on the 23rd-24th, before changing to snow on the 25th-26th, and with even a touch of light freezing drizzle mixing in before the system departed. However, by far the majority of accumulating snow and resultant travel impacts occurred during the Christmas calendar day. The majority of the 24-county area picked up between 2-6 inches of snow, with the overall-highest concentration of 6-8 totals clustered in northern counties such as Valley, Greeley and Howard. Admittedly, snow amounts fell at least a few inches short of forecast expectations in most places. However, the combination of several hours of light-to-moderate (and briefly heavy) snow, in tandem with moderately-strong north-northwest winds (commonly sustained 20-30 MPH/gusting 25-40 MPH), reduced visibility to under 1 mile for several hours in most locations and induced at least sporadic blizzard/white-out conditions...particularly within counties along/north of Interstate 80. As for snow totals, per dozens of NWS and NeRAIN/CoCoRaHS observers, some of the very-highest tallies featured: 8.0 in Bradshaw, 7.5 eight miles north-northeast of Scotia and also nine miles northwest of Ord, 7.0 near St. Paul and Elba, and 6.5 in Ord. In the Tri Cities, official totals ranged from 2.5 to 3.7, but there were unofficial reports of as much as 4-5 in Grand Island. Temperatures/wind chills were not overly-cold by late-December standards, with temperatures during the day mainly 25-30 F, and wind chills commonly 5-15 F. Wind gusts above 40 MPH were the exception, but official airport ASOS sensors at Ord and Grand Island clocked peak gusts of 49 and 43 MPH, respectively.
Delving deeper into the meteorological background and timing of this event, the Christmas Day winter storm/blizzard was again the main act of a multi-day precipitation event that brought much-needed total precipitation (including rain and melted snow) of 0.30-1.00 to most of South Central Nebraska (and localized higher amounts closer to 1.50, particularly in/near Valley County). In the mid-upper levels, some of the above-average forecast uncertainty regarding snow amounts stemmed from the fact that the powerful, closed low pressure system that eventually blossomed over the heart of the Central Plains on the 25th-26th evolved from a complex merger of two, initially-separate shortwave troughs approaching from the western United States...a northern stream disturbance tracking from the Pacific Northwest across the Northern Rockies, and a southern stream wave swinging northeastward out of the Desert Southwest. During the morning of the 25th, these disturbances completed their phasing/merger, as a vigorous, closed mid-upper low quickly developed over western Nebraska/Kansas. While parts of the area received some light snow on the evening of the 24th, things really ramped up on Christmas morning, as several snow bands blossomed and started rotating from east-to-west across South Central Nebraska. Although some locations already had at least 1-2 of snow on the ground by sunrise, the bulk of snow accumulation played out during the daytime and early evening hours. As a mid-level dry slot wrapped into the area from the east, most counties along/east of Highway 281 saw snow gradually end from east-to-west between 2-6 p.m., while particularly those counties west of Highway 281 and south of Interstate 80 held onto snow well into the evening as additional snow bands wrapped southward around the back side of the slow-moving upper low, but even this activity mostly-ended/departed the area by midnight. At the surface, the moderately-strong north-northwest winds that prevailed across South Central Nebraska for the majority of the 25th were driven by a fairly tight pressure gradient sandwiched between high pressure (around 1035 millibars) centered over the Northern Rockies, and a roughly 1004 millibar low pressure center that embarked on a circuitous trek...well-displaced from the parent upper low. On the morning of the 25th, the heart of this low tracked due-north from southwest Missouri to western Iowa. Then, during the afternoon-evening hours, the low actually retrograded a bit to the northwest (to near Sioux Falls), before sinking southwestward into north central Nebraska by midnight. As the heart of this surface low crawled ever-closer to South Central Nebraska during the evening, winds actually eased up considerably between sunset and midnight within the weakening pressure gradient...ending any lingering blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 5-8 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 7.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer nine miles northwest or Ord; 6.5 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Ord; 6.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in North Loup; 5.5 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer two miles west of Arcadia; 5.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer five miles southwest of Elyria.

Blizzard in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 4-8 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 7.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer eight miles north-northeast of Scotia; 6.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer four miles east of Scotia; 4.1 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Greeley.

Blizzard in NANCE, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 3-6 inches blanketed the county, based primarily on nearby observations. NWS Cooperative Observers near Genoa and Belgrade reported 4.0 inches and 3.0 inches, respectively.

Blizzard in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 4-6 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included 5.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer two miles northwest of Rockville and 4.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer located in Loup City.

Blizzard in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 4-7 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 7.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer three miles west of Elba; 5.2 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in St. Paul; 4.0 inches from a social media report in Dannebrog.

Blizzard in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 3-6 inches blanketed the county, based primarily on nearby observations. Totals of 4-6 inches were reported via both social media and by the NWS Cooperative Observer in Central City.

Blizzard in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 3 to 6 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 5.0 inches, from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Polk; 4.7 inches, from the NWS Cooperative Observer three miles northeast of Shelby; 4.3 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Osceola.

Blizzard in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 05:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 6.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer six miles southwest of Lexington; 5-6 inches from a social media report in Cozad; 4.9 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located two miles north-northwest of Eustis (very close to the Dawson/Frontier County line).

Blizzard in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-5 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 4.5 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer three miles southeast of Ravenna and 3.5 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer at the Kearney Airport.

Blizzard in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-5 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included 4.2 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer located in Doniphan and anywhere from 3 to 5 inches reported within and near Grand Island. Interstate 80 was closed for part of Christmas Day between York and Grand Island due to traffic accidents during Blizzard/Winter Storm conditions.

Blizzard in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. A total of 6.0 inches was reported from a CoCoRaHS observer six miles north of Aurora. Interstate 80 was closed for part of Christmas Day between York and Grand Island due to traffic accidents during Blizzard/Winter Storm conditions.

Blizzard in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 4-8 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 8.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Bradshaw; 7.0 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer six miles north of Bradshaw; 5.4 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer three miles north of York. Interstate 80 was closed for part of Christmas Day between York and Grand Island due to traffic accidents during Blizzard/Winter Storm conditions.

Winter Storm in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 05:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. A total of 3.5 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer eight miles south of Elwood.

Winter Storm in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 05:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-5 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 3.4 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer six miles north-northwest of Oxford; 3.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Beaver City; 3.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Wilsonville.

Winter Storm in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 05:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. A total of 4.0 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer in Holdrege.

Winter Storm in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 05:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 3-6 inches blanketed the county. A total of 6.0 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer located at the Harlan County Dam and 5.5 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer near Orleans.

Winter Storm in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. A total of 4.5 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer in Minden.

Winter Storm in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 05:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 3-7 inches blanketed the county. A total of 7.0 inches was reported by a CoCoRaHS observer six miles north of Riverton and 4.5 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer in Naponee.

Winter Storm in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. A total of 3.7 inches was measured at the NWS Hastings office and totals in the 3-5 inch range were reported within and near Hastings.

Winter Storm in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. A total of 5.4 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer four miles southwest of Blue Hill and 4.0 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer in Red Cloud.

Winter Storm in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. Totals of 3.0 inches were reported by NWS Cooperative Observers in Clay Center and also six miles east-southeast of Clay Center.

Winter Storm in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. A total of 5.0 inches was reported by a CoCoRaHS observer located in Lawrence and 4.5 inches was reported by the NWS Cooperative Observer in Superior.

Winter Storm in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-6 inches blanketed the county. NWS Cooperative observers in Geneva and four miles south of Shickley reported 5.0 inches and 4.0 inches, respectively.

Winter Weather in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall amounts of mainly 2-5 inches blanketed the county. A few reported totals included: 4.3 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Hebron; 4.0 inches from the NWS Cooperative Observer in Hubbell; 3.9 inches from a CoCoRaHS observer four miles north-northeast of Byron.