Plains and Rockies – On this date at the close of 2006, a powerful winter storm swept across large portions of the central United States, bringing blizzard conditions, destructive ice, and widespread travel disruptions. The system became one of the most memorable year-end storms of the decade due to its sheer size, intensity, and variety of dangerous weather impacts.
Storm Development and Path
The storm first developed over New Mexico on the day before New Year’s Eve. Instead of weakening, it intensified as it tracked eastward and then slowly curved northeast across the Plains. By New Year’s Eve, the system was advancing toward the Midwest, spreading hazardous weather across multiple states.
Warnings Across Multiple Regions
Meteorologists described the system as having “the whole kitchen sink” of winter hazards. Blizzard warnings stretched from Colorado to the Texas Panhandle, while freezing rain advisories were issued across parts of the Midwest. Farther south, the same storm triggered tornado and flood watches in the southern Mississippi Valley, highlighting its unusual breadth and intensity.
Extreme Snowfall Totals
The storm proved especially destructive from the Southwest into the central Plains. More than two feet of snow fell across parts of New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, and Colorado. In Kansas, snowfall totals were even more dramatic in some areas. Portions of far southwestern Kansas reported up to 32 inches of snow, paralyzing communities and stranding travelers.
Destructive Ice in Western Kansas
In addition to heavy snow, significant ice accretion worsened conditions. Finney County experienced up to 2.5 inches of ice, leading to massive infrastructure damage. Roughly 10,000 power poles were knocked down statewide, and about 60,000 residents were left without electricity as the storm raged on.
Widespread Road Closures
Transportation was severely disrupted across the region. Road closures were extensive in New Mexico and Texas, with Interstate 40 shut down between Amarillo and Albuquerque. Conditions were so severe that every road in northeastern New Mexico was closed, effectively isolating entire communities.
A Year-Ending Storm to Remember
As 2006 came to an end, this massive winter storm left a lasting mark across the Plains and Rockies. With crippling snow, destructive ice, power outages, and major travel shutdowns, it stands as a stark reminder of how quickly winter weather can escalate into a large-scale regional disaster.
