Nebraska winters are often pretty rough. Between the cold temperatures, the heavy snow, and the punishing winds, we’ve pretty much seen it all as residents. But no Nebraska winter has ever compared to the one in 1948-49. It was the winter that seemed to go on forever. The temperatures and conditions were treacherous, making it the coldest winter in Nebraska at the time. Do you remember the winter in Nebraska that felt like it was seemingly neverending?

It all started on November 18, 1948.
Nebraska State Historical Society
Snow blanketed a wide swath of central to northeastern Nebraska. Up to 24 inches fell, shutting down roads and trains. Phone service went out, and many people were stranded away from home. Understandably, many Nebraskans figured that this would be the worst they'd see that winter.
But it was far from over.
Nebraska State Historical Society
The snow from the first storm hadn't yet melted when the next round of severe weather struck. Snowstorms on December 29th and January 2nd-5th completely buried the state in up to 30 additional inches and brought winds of up to 60 MPH. The wind created drifts that reached up to 50 feet high in some places.
The snow was completely devastating.
Nebraska State Historical Society
Driving or walking anywhere was out of the question. Workers tried to clear the roads, but snow would rush in and cover them again immediately. Trains weren't able to run, so the only viable mode of transportation was by air - a method that was obviously not an option for most people. Crews working to clear the snow encountered several layers of ice in between layers of snow, creating a kind of impenetrable barrier. They resorted to using dynamite to remove the snow and ice in some places.

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All transportation routes were blocked for months.
Nebraska State Historical Society
The livelihood of almost every Nebraskan depended on the railroad. With the trains disabled, ranchers couldn't send their livestock off to market. Supplies couldn't be delivered to the beleaguered state, and communities began to ration the food they had available. Millions of livestock were in danger, so planes dropped hay when and where they could to help keep the animals alive.

Even the railroads' powerful snowplows couldn't clear the massive drifts, so citizens came out with shovels to help remove snow from the tracks. Some farmers were able to travel short distances with their machinery to retrieve supplies, but for the most part, everyone was simply stuck where they were.
In late January, the National Guard was called in to help.
Nebraska State Historical Society
Heavy machinery was brought in to clear roads, transport sick people to hospitals, and deliver supplies to humans and livestock alike. People in rural areas who had been trapped for weeks began to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
But Nebraska still wasn't ready to leave winter behind.
Nebraska State Historical Society
Further snowstorms in February, March, and April of 1949 dropped even more snow. Livestock died by the tens of thousands - some of the exposure to the cold, some of the hunger - despite the aid efforts. Damages from the storms would echo throughout the rest of the year and beyond. The massive, dense snowdrifts took until July to finally melt, leaving visual remnants of the brutal winter long after winter was officially over.

Nebraska did, of course, eventually recover. But the winter of 1948-49 is still remembered as the worst in the state.

Interested in more stories of intense winter storms in Nebraska? Read the unforgettable tale of the blizzard of 1888 in our feature article.

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Coldest Winter In Nebraska

Marisa Roman | November 15, 2021

What was the biggest snowfall in Nebraska?

Everyone from the state knows that winter in Nebraska can be quite tumultuous. Residents in Nebraska have certainly seen their fair share of bad weather, especially when it comes to winter storms and freezing temperatures. In fact, the worst storm, one that brought record-breaking snowfall hit back in 1932 when a snowstorm hit Omaha with 10.6 inches of snow. This was the most ever recorded on a January day in history at the time. But that wasn’t even the worst of it. Here are a few other crazy winter storms that hit Nebraska over the years.

How much snowfall does Nebraska get each year?

The United States averages about 28 inches of snowfall per year, and Nebraska is actually right on par with that average. In fact, Nebraska also averages 28 inches of snow every year, but that doesn’t really affect the 223 sunny days each year that Nebraska gets. According to the records, the snowiest month in Nebraska is in February, which is usually when the most snow ends up falling for the season.

Is Nebraska a good place to visit in the winter?

Nebraska winter temperatures are no joke. The winters are harsh, cold, and snowy. The average daytime highs are barely above 30 degrees from December to February, and at night, you can expect to see freezing temperatures. Blizzards are quite common throughout the winter in Nebraska, so visiting during this time might not be the most rewarding. However, there are still places in Nebraska worth visiting during the season that offer up a unique perspective of the state. Take a look at these 10 awesome spots in Nebraska worth checking out during winter.

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