Winter in Nebraska can be a harsh time. We certainly see our fair share of bad weather…maybe more than our share, in fact. But a few years have brought winter storms in Nebraska that we can never forget. These storms caused destruction and death, and left a lasting mark on the Cornhusker State.

1. 1888: The Schoolchildren's Blizzard
Pawnee County History
January 12, 1888 was an unseasonably warm winter day that came after several days of snow and bitter cold. Thanks to the warmer temperatures, many children went to school without their heavy coats and other proper winter attire. It was a surprise to everyone when a fast-moving blizzard blustered into Nebraska in the afternoon, bringing with it brutally cold winds and massive amounts of snow. Given the timing of the storm, many people were trapped away from home, most notably children who were at school. Many children and teachers perished in the unforgiving conditions, but several stories of heroism arose from the tragedy.

Read the story of a heroic Nebraska schoolteacher here.
2. 1948-1949: The Worst Winter Ever
John Lillis/Flickr
This truly monumental storm began on November 18, 1948 and more or less didn't end until April of the following year. Once again, this epic blizzard was preceded by mild temperatures. The forecast called for continued nice days with a low chance of precipitation. So it's understandable that the entire state was entirely unprepared for all the chaos that ensued. Roads closed all throughout Nebraska. Families were trapped in their homes. Trains stopped running. Livestock died by the thousands. President Truman declared a state of emergency in January 1949. Government relief efforts helped reduce some of the storm's damage. However, it was too late to help the economy, the farmers and ranchers, and the scores of individuals and businesses who suffered losses.

Read more about this once-in-a-lifetime winter in Nebraska here.

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3. 1975: The Great Storm
flickr/Parrish Baker
This intense blizzard was one of the worst winter storms in Nebraska. It began on January 9 and continued on until January 12, though Nebraska was not hit until January 10. In other states, the storm began with a series of rare January tornadoes. These caused widespread destruction. In eastern Nebraska, more than a foot of snow covered the ground. Record-low barometric pressure was recorded. This blizzard produced less snow than some of the others on our list, but it was arguably one of the most severe. Record low temperatures and strong winds of up to 50 miles per hour, plus usts of 90 miles per hour, made it quite dangerous outside. As you can imagine, there was little to no visibility.
4. 1991: The Halloween Blizzard
Bradley Weber/Flickr
Those of us who lived in eastern Nebraska and were of trick-or-treating age in 1991 still vividly remember this as the year Halloween was canceled. A storm actually was in the forecast for October 31, but the predictions underestimated the intensity. Nothing indicated just how painfully cold the temperatures would get, and how much snow would fall. But frist came the ice. Up to an inch of solid ice was covered by 5.7 inches of snow (a new record snowfall in Nebraska for that day). The conditions were so treacherous that even walking outside was extremely nerve-wracking and dangerous. Trick-or-treating did eventually get rescheduled for a few days later. By that time, it was still icy, snowy, and intensely cold outside. Not many families took advantage of the do-over. Before you feel too sorry for the kids in Nebraska, remember that the Minneapolis/St. Paul area was hit far worse than the Omaha area!
5. 1997: October Surprise
flickr/Karin Dalziel
Just a handful of years later, October brought another intense storm through Nebraska. The Lincoln and Omaha areas were hit particularly hard. From October 24 to 26, a wet, heavy snow fell...and fell...and fell...and fell. Thousands of trees were damaged beyond repair. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were without power - some for up to two weeks! Halloween was again canceled, but this year there was no do-over scheduled.

Read more about this epic natural disaster in Nebraska right here.

How many of these incredible winter storms in Nebraska have you lived through? When do you think we’ll see another history-making winter storm? Share your memories and predictions in the comments!

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More to Explore

Winter In Nebraska

Lisa Sammons | October 01, 2021

What are some of the levels of record snowfall in Nebraska?

The average seasonal snowfall in Nebraska is around 29 inches. We normally get around 8 days with at least 1 inch of snow, and 3 days with more than 3 inches of snow. The record daily snowfall was 17.8 inches in March of 2006. In February 1915, we got an amazing 29.7 inches of snow during the month, a monthly record. We've never had recorded snow in June, July, or August, but every other month has been fair game at some point in history.

What is winter in Nebraska like?

Well, first off, it's pretty darn cold. We are prone to winter storms in Nebraska. The prairie is pretty unforgiving when it comes to winter winds. But if you can get past the frigid temperatures, it's quite beautiful. We love the pristine snow on our gorgeous landscapes. We've got so many great winter activities in Nebraska. You don't have to bundle up inside just because it's cold! Check out this list for some tips and tricks on how to survive a winter in Nebraska. Don't panic, and be prepared!

What are some natural disasters in Nebraska?

In 1874, a plague of biblical proportions wreaked havoc across the state. Rocky Mountain locusts descended on the Cornhusker State and didn't let up. People actually died of starvation because the grasshoppers were consuming everything in their path! Some even took to eating the insects. For more horrifying disasters in Nebraska, check out this list.

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