SE Nebraska Digs Out After First Snow Storm of 2025

By Gordon Hopkins
The new year kicked off with a winter storm that kept much of the population of Nebraska and Kansas home for the weekend. Fortunately, there was plenty of advance warning, so few were caught by surprise.
Days later, the area is still feeling the aftermath.
Overall, Nebraska received less snow than anticipated, though southeastern Nebraska received the brunt of the snowfall. Per the national Weather Service, area totals include:

• Fairbury: 6 inches
• Daykin: 1.5 inches
• Wymore: 4 inches
• Hastings: 4.1 inches
• Western: 2 inches
• Beatrice: 5.5 inches
  More snow fell farther south. Across the state line, Kansas reported as much as 18 inches in some locations.
  However, snowfall in inches tells only part of the story. While the snow finally ceased Sunday, January 5, blowing winds created sometimes dangerous snowdrifts that, along with ice, made driving unsafe. So much so that the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) issued a travel alert Sunday night. NDOT posted on social media, “Be weather aware! If you are traveling, ensure your vehicle is prepared with your emergency kit! If you become stranded, dial *55 to connect with the Nebraska State Patrol.”
  Driving conditions and brutally cold wind chills predicted for the early part of this week resulted on the closure of some area schools, while others opted to start two hours late.

Twinrivers