This Week (January 1-7) in Regional Weather History

January 1 On this day in 1976, snow fell over much of southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska panhandle, bringing the highest daily snowfall to start a new year for many areas.  Cheyenne recorded 2.9 inches,  Scottsbluff, Ne. received 4.7 inches while Chadron, Ne. was coated with 8.3 inches of snow.
January 2 In a day of meteorological infamy, factors started to come together for a historical blizzard…the Great Blizzard of 1949.  A strong arctic cold front pushed across the region dropping temperatures to near zero by late in the day.  Snow began falling and by the end of the day 5 inches had fallen over Cheyenne with 3 to 4 inches over much of the rest of the region.  Those who remember this blizzard know it was to get much worse.
January 3 The Great Blizzard of 1949 grew in intensity with heavy snow, strong winds and bitter cold temperatures. On this day Cheyenne recorded its highest daily precipitation total ever in January with 1.32 inches. Many areas recorded all-time daily record snowfalls including 26.7 inches at Chadron, Ne., with estimates of 25 to 30 inches burying Cheyenne and much of southeast Wyoming.  This combined with temperatures at or below zero all day and wind gusts over 50 mph paralyzed the region.
January 4 The blizzard of 1949 continued its onslaught on the region but finally began to wane late in the day. By the time it was over, 41 inches of snow buried Chadron, Ne. while 30 to 40 inches of snow was estimated over and around Cheyenne.  Between 20 and 30 inches was recorded at Laramie, WY.   17 lives were lost in the storm while many were marooned for days due to impassable roads and huge drifts.
January 5 On this day in 1955 a snowstorm brought snow to parts of the Nebraska panhandle, with 7.1 inches recorded at Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
January 6 Today is on average the coldest day of the year for Scottsbluff, Nebraska with an average daily temperature of 24.1 degrees.
January 7 On this day in 1992 Cheyenne recorded 12.7 inches of snow which officially is the 5th highest daily snowfall recorded in Cheyenne.  6.7 inches of snow fell onto Scottsbluff, Nebraska.


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