(Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The Tri-City area was impacted by an early spring blizzard with the main impacts occurring on Monday, March 25. Schools and businesses are closed across the area.
A strong area of surface low pressure ejected into the Plains last evening and as it progressed through the area, cold winds and snow were present on the back side of the system.
Severe storms Sunday evening quickly turned over to snow as a cold front caused temperatures to plummet to near freezing.
Due to the ongoing snowfall and wind gusts up to 36 mph, a Blizzard Warning was issued for Buffalo County and areas, north, south and west of Kearney. Hall, Adams and counties out east are under a Winter Weather Advisory.
The Blizzard warning remains in effect until 7 a.m., Tuesday, March 26. There will be snow accumulations between two and six inches and winds could reach as high as 50 mph.
“Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511,” the National Weather Service – Hastings states.
The Winter Weather Advisory also lasts until 7 a.m. Tuesday and residents should take care if they plan to travel.
Interstate 80 is currently closed between Ogallala and Lexington due to the conditions brought on by the storm.
Snowfall rates will decrease mid to late morning as the surface low pushes farther eastward and weakens slightly. Temperatures will continue to fall through the morning which will contribute to slick roads.
However, late this afternoon into the evening, there will be another increase in snowfall and wind as the main upper-level low makes its way over the area.
Per NWS Hastings, areas east of Highway 281, the evening will be the peak time frame for accumulating snow. This should gradually diminish after midnight, but northwest wind gusts between 40-50 mph will lead to blowing snow issues.
Areas from Lexington northeast to Ord could see as much as nine inches. Totals decrease quickly farther eastward, with Grand Island and Hastings only in the one-to-three-inch range.
Tuesday will be dry, but cold. The morning will start off with below zero wind chills for most of the area.
“Northwest winds will slowly decrease as the system pushes to our east, continued cold air advection will keep highs from rising any higher than the upper 20s and low 30s,” per NWS Hastings.
The pattern will shift to warmer temperatures by the middle to end of the work week. Southerly winds will return, and the snow will start to melt. By Thursday and Friday, highs are favored to reach back into the 50s and 60s.
