One of the largest snowfalls in the last decade came to an end early afternoon in Wichita. Snow totals over 6″ were reported all across the city.
Officially at the NWS Office, the storm total went into the books at 6.5″, making it the largest snow since Feb of 2014 and the largest snow to EVER fall in Wichita on New Years Day. This is the official record broken at the Wichita observation site at the NWS office at the airport.
Winds blew snow and caused drifts up to two feet deep in places. Fortunately, traffic was light thanks to the holiday which likely prevented a much worse morning commute. Winter Storm Warnings that were posted overnight were dropped shortly after the noon hour as most of the snow had ended across the region as the storm pulled away to the northeast.
Shot Description
Clips 1-7: Various shots of red pickup truck that slid off I-135 on the south side of the city and crashed into a fence and some brush. Includes shots of vehicle owner and police officer on scene shortly after the crash.
Clips 8-10: Shots of dark grey sedan that slid into a railroad crossing gate.
Clips 11-12: Shots of light grey sedan in the ditch off I-235 with driver walking from the car.
Clip 13: Wrecker on the side of I-235 with flashing lights.
Clip 14: Two snow plows clearing a city street in south Wichita.
Clip 15: High winds blowing snow across an overpass with a highway sign directing drivers to I-135 in north Wichita.
Clips 16-18: Shots of KDOT electronic sign warning drivers of icy and snow-packed roads as heavy snow falls on the sign.
Clips 19-25: Various POV driving shots in heavy falling snow of traffic on Wichita highways.
Clip 26: Blowing snow from a guard rail on an overpass.
Clip 27: Blowing snow as an advertising banner flails in strong winds.
Clip 28: Heavy blowing snow falling on pine trees.
SID: Tornadoes Kick Media
Record breaking snowfall for the first day of 2021 in Greater Wichita. By 10am, the official measurement for Wichita was 5″ and counting, beating the 1925 record of 4.2″ for Jan 1. The last time Wichita saw at least 5″ of snow was back on Feb 4, 2014. Fortunately the holiday meant a lot of drivers were not on the roads, but still, there were a host of issues across roads in the city.
Shot Description
Clips 1-2: An on-ramp to I-235 in south Wichita is locked by a stuck semi and sport car. The car trying to get unstuck from the snow while a tow truck works to hook up the semi.
Clips 3-4: Sedan spun out off I-135 and stuck in the snow.
Clips 5-6: Semi on a tow truck after crashing along northbound I-135.
Clip 7: K-DOT sign warning drivers of snowpacked roads.
Clip 8: POV driving shot of snow-covered interstate with three cars driving ahead.
Clip 9: Heavy snow falls through headlights of stopped vehicle.
Clip 10-11: POV driving shot passing emergency vehicle parked behind a stranded vehicle.
Clip 12: POV driving shot through heavy snow passing a KDOT sign warning of winter weather.
Clip 13: POV driving shot behind two cars driving slowly through falling snow with emergency flashers on.
Clip 14-15: POV driving shots passing snow lows in falling snow.
Clip 16-18: Shots of three snowplows clearing I-135 in south Wichita.
Clip 19-20: Kansas and US flags blowing in wind-driven snow.
Clip 21-22: Heavy snow falling over KDOT sign reading “Winter Weather in the Area”.
SID: Tornadoes Kick Media
Simon Brewer @SimonStormRider breaks down the year of weather extremes from the winter extremes in 2020. From the winter storms hitting the northeast, to Covid changing the way we live, Tornadoes in the heartland and the historic Hurricane season that hit the United States.
Sit back and look at the extremes we survived in 2020.