By Dr. Ferrell Miller, Geary County Historical Society Researcher
The most recent January 2025 blizzard and snow accumulations have paralyzed travel. A mist followed by freezing temperatures, snow amounts up to and possibly exceeding 16 to18 inches depending on location and below freezing temperatures have not been common for us in Geary County in recent years. Some previous snowstorms are highlighted in this article.
In February 1894 there was a reference in the Union newspaper that this section of the state as well as a large portion of the country had been visited with heavy snow and cold weather. The snowfall had largely protected the growing wheat crop, and the cold weather assured a good ice crop sufficient to supply all demand for the coming season. Horse drawn Cutters were continually on the go from early morning to late in the night. Sleighing was never better anywhere in the state than it was here. It was not realized that there were so many elegant one-horse sleighs in our city until people saw them on the streets because of the snowfall. These sleighs together with the little folks on the small sleds, made the streets of our city one vast scene of merriment and enjoyable sport.
On April 4,1920 a winter storm hit Junction City. Easter Sunday was on that day.
It was in1960 when 40 inches of snow fell during the period from February 20 through March 16. The heaviest single snow in that period was seven inches on February 21.
On February 22,1971 a foot of snow blanketed the Junction City area. It began snowing at 9:00 AM and continued until Sunday night causing streets and highways to be clogged with snow drifts and activities in the area were at a standstill. Reports of motorists being stranded when their cars were unable to move through the heavy snow were common. Businesses and schools were closed. (Many offices and stores would have been closed for President’s Day, which had been moved to the third Monday in February that year). Fort Riley was placed on a non-duty status, with all training suspended, and the only activity was for essential guard and similar duties with a decision to be made about any change in status to be made before Tuesday. It was reported that this was the heaviest snowfall in recent years.
Snowstorms like those mentioned above occurred on February 13, 1978. Prior to a decision to keep schools open, USD 475 officials drove the roads as a test before the decision was made by Superintendent Kenneth Hauge. This practice was in place many years later.
On November 27,1983 the high was 56 degrees, and the low was 33 degrees. Ten inches of snow fell that day.
These are some of the snowstorm highlights in our local history. The weather in Kansas can quickly change and become dangerous. Be safe and stay warm. We can be thankful for road crews, first responders, crews who keep our electricity on and community members who provide food and shelter for those in need. That is what our community does!