SPC MD 239

MD 0239 CONCERNING BLIZZARD FOR NORTHEAST COLORADO INTO NORTHWEST KANSAS INTO NEBRASKA

Mesoscale Discussion 0239
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1232 AM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025

Areas affected...Northeast Colorado into northwest Kansas into
Nebraska

Concerning...Blizzard 

Valid 190532Z - 190930Z

SUMMARY...The onset of blizzard conditions is occurring across
northeast CO; blizzard conditions will spread east and become more
widespread through the early morning hours.

DISCUSSION...Surface observations and web cams across northeast CO
and adjacent areas of KS and NE are beginning to report significant
visibility reductions below 1/2 mile as a combination of cold air
advection and wet-bulb cooling support rapid cooling and saturation
of low-level temperature profiles across the region. This comes as
an intense surface low begins to mature to the east across
central/western KS with 25-35 mph northerly gradient winds.
Downstream across northern KS and southern NE, temperatures remain
well above freezing, but similar rapid cooling/saturation is
expected over the next few hours as sub-freezing temperatures are
advected south and precipitation becomes more widespread and intense
within the deformation/frontogenetical zone of the cyclone. Latest
CAM guidance continues to suggest the potential for organized snow
banding across northern KS into southern/central NE between 06-12
UTC with snowfall rates between 1-2 in/hour. Despite the relatively
warm temperatures for a winter storm, blowing snow model output
suggests that this combination of heavy snowfall rates and strong
northerly winds (gusting between 40-60 mph) will support widespread
visibility reductions below 1/4 mile with periods of whiteout
conditions.

..Moore.. 03/19/2025

...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...

ATTN...WFO...OAX...ICT...GID...LBF...DDC...GLD...PUB...BOU...
CYS...

LAT...LON   40259814 39749845 39289877 38999908 38779952 38689982
            38570048 38490119 38500186 38590247 38890310 39180356
            39700378 40160385 40690367 41010312 41170255 41370177
            41440121 41620032 42009861 42069803 42019755 41859718
            41539698 41199690 40919713 40719747 40259814 

Read more