PAGE 2
| PAGE 1 | PAGE 2 | PAGE 3 | PAGE 4 | PAGE 5 | PAGE 6 | PAGE 7 | PAGE 8 | PAGE 9 | PAGE 10
I
I PAGE 11 I PAGE 12 I PAGE 13 I PAGE 14 I PAGE 15 I PAGE 16 I PAGE 17 I PAGE 18 I PAGE 19
I PAGE 20 I
I PAGE 21 I PAGE 22 I PAGE 23 I PAGE 24 I PAGE25 I PAGE 26 I PAGE 27 I PAGE 28 I PAGE29 I
PAGE 30 I
1998 CHASE
SEASON IN REVIEW
1999 CHASE SEASON IN REVIEW
March 7-8
March 7-8 C. Kansas Blizzard
An intense surface low
over NW Missouri created an early spring blizzard over
much of central Kansas. Kathryn Ray and I were in the McPherson Ks area the
evening of March 8th and experienced this raging blizzard first-hand. Late in
the afternoon, the National Weather Service posted blizzard warnings for the
central sections of Kansas effective through the morning hours of March 8th.
Very strong northerly winds coupled with moderate/heavy snow would cause
dramatic reduction in surface visibility in the warned area. Temperatures were
forecasted to drop into the upper teens to lower twenties with wind-chill values
expected to fall well below zero. Extreme snowfall amounts were not expected;
however, the extreme winds would create the blizzard conditions- typical for
the great plains region. Travel in central Ks was strongly discouraged by the
local and state officials and statements indicated that numerous roads were
closed through the morning of March 8th.
We were blizzard-bound in
McPherson and were very fortunate to have found
lodging as hundreds of travelers/truckers were forced off the highways. We
were able to shoot video footage from around McPherson before visibilities
dropped to near zero. We were forced to return to the hotel for shelter from the
now howling blizzard. Winds increased dramatically after midnight as n-ne
winds gusted in excess of 60 mph. Several times the hotel structure was rocked
by the stronger gusts and the roof would groan . We were worried that the roof
would be peeled back!! Horizontal blowing snow brought surface visibilities
to zero as the blizzard reached peak intensity. McPherson county officials and
law enforcement officials broadcast an emergency bulletin on the cable system
that all travel be suspended in the county. Emergency vehicles would not be
available to assist stranded vehicles because of the very severe conditions in
McPherson county.
The blizzard raged on
through the night into the morning hours of March 8th.
Snowfall intensity and the winds slowly began to subside with time after 7am,
but wind chill values were down to -20 degrees. Surface visibilities started to
increase progressively and soon the aftermath of the blizzard could be seen.
Two to four foot snow drifts were covering most roadways as we headed out
to observe conditions around McPherson. Snowfall depth was hard to gauge
but official reports indicated 8-10 inch snowfalls across much of central Ks. To
the northeast of McPherson, snowfall amounts in the 15-20 inch range were
reported in Saline, Dickinson, and Ottawa counties in central Ks. Drifts in these
counties were reported to be up to 6 feet in some locations and I-70 was closed
in both directions. All blizzard warnings were dropped by mid-morning as the
visibilities continued to improve. We headed back towards Tulsa via I-135 and
were able to observe numerous vehicles which were abandoned /off the road.
Snowfall amounts were noticeably less as we traveled south to Wichita. From
Newton Ks south, snowfall amounts were only in the 1-3 inch range- quite a
contrast to just 20 miles to the north!! We were just blessed that we did have a
place to hunker down that night........
|
