National Weather Service - Hastings, Courtesy
KEARNEY — A Blizzard Warning has been issued for the Tri-Cities and other areas of south-central Nebraska lasting through 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
A significant winter storm will impact the entire National Weather Service – Hastings coverage area with the majority of the snow falling on Monday. Total snow accumulations are between five and nine inches.
The worst impacts from drifting and blowing snow will increase from west to east into the overnight as northerly winds gust at 40 to 50 mph.
The counites included in the Blizzard warning are Dawson, Buffalo, Gosper, Phelps, Kearney, Adams, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin and Webster.
“Travel could be very difficult. Widespread falling and blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility to around quarter of a mile at times, especially in open, rural areas. The hazardous conditions could impact especially the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes,” per NWS Hastings.
“Precipitation could start as rain or sleet this morning especially near and south of the Kansas border but should change to snow within a few hours. Although much of the area will see moderate to heavy snow this morning, the strongest winds and most likely time frame for blizzard conditions will not begin until this afternoon into this evening,” NWS Hastings states.
Starting Thursday night into next week, the area will need to brace for what will likely be the coldest multi-day stretch since the February 2021 cold air outbreak, NWS Hastings noted.
There will be several days of single-digit high temperatures, along with several overnight morning wind chills of at least minus 15 to minus 30 degrees, which will likely prompt advisories and possible warnings.
