“It’s getting worse by the minute.” Weather begins to turn in Nebraska Panhandle

CHADRON - What turned out to be a balmy start to the Thanksgiving weekend is beginning to change in western Nebraska. Jack Arterburn, a UNL Extension Educator in Chadron, says weather conditions in the northwest part of the state are "getting worse by the minute." He was reporting about an inch of  snow at 3 p.m. mountain time. The snow followed a rainy morning. Chadron, Harrison and Alliance are included in a winter storm warning, which is in effect until 5 a.m. mountain time Sunday. North facing slopes of the Pine Ridge will see six to nine inches of snow. Other areas will get two to four inches. The rest of the panhandle is in a winter weather advisory until 8 a.m. mountain time Sunday. A wintry mix was falling in Sidney at 2 p.m. Rain started falling shortly after 1 p.m. The winter weather advisory extends into north-central Nebraska to northeast Nebraska and western Iowa. The Nebraska Department of Roads were utilizing electronic signs on Interstate 80 near Ogallala to warn drivers about the impending blizzard conditions expected in central and eastern Nebraska. A blizzard warning for south-central and southeastern Nebraska, southwest Iowa, and northwest Missouri goes into effect at 4 a.m. Sunday and lasts through 6 p.m. The warning includes Nebraska City, Falls City, Shenandoah, Mound City, Lincoln and Grand Island. Meteorologists say the heaviest snow is expected to be in southeast Nebraska, southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri where four to seven inches could fall - mainly between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. The snow combined with north winds gusting to 40 MPH will create whiteout conditions for Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service. They say to plan on slippery road conditions and watch for areas of blowing snow that could significantly reduce visibility. The weather service says travel will be nearly impossible with occasional whiteout conditions likely. [caption id="attachment_1742222" align="alignnone" width="264"] About an inch of snow has fallen in Chadron, Neb. as of 3:30 p.m. mountain time. (Photo Courtesy: Emily Arterburn)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1742163" align="alignnone" width="300"] Rain began to fall in Sidney, Neb. shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday. Sidney remains in a winter weather advisory.[/caption] ROAD CONDITIONS Nebraska Iowa Missouri Accuweather Forecast Storm Closings and Cancellations Follow Hunter on Twitter: @TheBurnRadio http://ncn21.com/featured-news/blizzard-warning-weather-service-urges-drivers-to-avoid-roads-sunday-morning-as-strong-winds-fresh-snow-meet/ http://ncn21.com/state-news/weather-service-issues-snow-squall-warning-in-western-nebraska-roads-deteriorating-in-panhandle/ http://ncn21.com/local-news/ways-you-can-prepare-for-severe-winter-weather/