January 1-7 in Area Weather History
Jan. 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, Nebraska received 4.7 inches while
Chadron, Neb. was covered with 8.3 inches of snow.
Today is the average coldest day of the year for Cheyenne since 1900 with an
average temperature of 25 degrees.
Jan. 2: In a day of meteorological infamy, factors started to come together for a historicalReturn to Latest News
blizzard across this region, the Great Blizzard of 1949. A strong arctic cold front
pushed across the region dropping temperatures to near zero by late in the day
while a powerful low pressure system organized over the southern Rocky mountain
area. Snow began falling over the region and by the end of the day 5 inches had
fallen in Cheyenne with 3 to 4 inches over much of the rest of the region. Those
who remember this blizzard know that the worst was yet to come.
Jan. 3: The Great Blizzard of 1949 grew in intensity as the powerful low pressure system
made an unusual turn from the southern plains northwestward toward this region,
intensifying the snow, strong winds and bitter cold temperatures. On this day
Cheyenne recorded its highest daily precipitation total on record for January with
1.32 inches. Many areas recorded all-time daily record snowfalls including 26.7 inches
at Chadron, Nebraska. Snowfall estimated from 25 to 30 inches buried 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 with huge drifts.
Jan. 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 had buried Chadron, Nebraska
while 30 to 40 inches of snow was estimated to have fallen over and around Cheyenne.
Between 20 and 30 inches was recorded at Laramie. Seventeen lives were lost in the
storm along with thousands of livestock while many people were marooned for days due
to impassable roads and huge drifts.
Jan. 5: On this day in 1955 a snowstorm brought snow to parts of the Nebraska panhandle, with
7.1 inches recorded at Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Jan. 6: Today is on average the coldest day of the year for Scottsbluff since 1900 with an average
daily temperature of 24.0 degrees.
Jan. 7: On this day in 1992 Cheyenne recorded 12.7 inches of snow while Scottsbluff, Nebraska
was covered with 6.7 inches of snow.