Late-season snow creates slick roads and prompts school closures
1:00 AM
By The Associated Press | Posted: Friday, April 11, 2008
Winter is making a comeback in Nebraska.
Snow was falling across much of the western half of the state Thursday, causing power outages, school closures and treacherous road conditions.
"It's going to be pretty bad," said forecaster Dennis Phillips, who works in the National Weather Service's North Platte office.
A winter storm warning will remain in effect until Friday for western Nebraska, which is expected to receive 3-8 inches of snow from the storm. North-central Nebraska near O'Neill is expected to experience the worst of the storm and receive 7-10 inches of snow.
Rain was falling across much of eastern Nebraska Thursday, but forecasters predicted that would switch over to snow Thursday night. The weather service called for blizzard-like conditions, including strong winds and blowing snow, into early Friday. Snow was expected to continue falling in the east into Saturday.
Nebraska Public Power District spokesman Mark Becker said Thursday evening that 766 customers in O'Neill were without power. He said workers were able to correct the initial problems caused by snow and ice, but an equipment problem has left them unable to restore power right away. Crews were working to reroute power to the town.
Another outage that left 239 customers near Big Springs without power for part of the afternoon has been corrected, Becker said.
NPPD also reported scattered outages Thursday night near Emmet and Whiteclay.
Pete Peterson, Keith County's emergency management director, reported power problems there, with half of Paxton without electricity.
Midwest Electric said it was experiencing substation problems, and power may be out for the rest of Thursday.
Classes in western Nebraska were canceled Thursday because of the storm. Schools in Mullen, Tryon, Stapleton, Hayes Center, Hemingford and Hay Springs were among those that shut their doors.
A little further southeast in North Platte, the rain switched over to snow Thursday morning as temperatures fell.
The Nebraska State Patrol urged motorists to stay off of Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 30 west of North Platte. Extreme caution was advised on most other roads in the western half of the state.
"We are experiencing a pretty powerful spring snow storm," said Captain Jim Parish of the North Platte troop. "The snow is wet and heavy and turning to slush, making it difficult to drive."
There were reports of several vehicles stuck along I-80 near Roscoe, and jackknifed semis were blocking traffic at the Ogallala onramp.
Ranchers were being warned to move livestock into sheltered areas as winds increase up to 30 miles per hour, creating blizzard-like conditions in some areas.
This snow storm is likely to be a headache for much of the state, Phillips said, but many people will be glad to receive the moisture.
And the snow shouldn't last long because warmer temperatures are expected to arrive soon. By Sunday, the weather service says temperatures will climb into the mid 50s in the east, near 60 in central areas and into the lower to mid 60s in the west.
Then maybe winter will be done.
"Hopefully, this is the last gasp," Phillips said.
On the Net:
National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov
Snow was falling across much of the western half of the state Thursday, causing power outages, school closures and treacherous road conditions.
"It's going to be pretty bad," said forecaster Dennis Phillips, who works in the National Weather Service's North Platte office.
A winter storm warning will remain in effect until Friday for western Nebraska, which is expected to receive 3-8 inches of snow from the storm. North-central Nebraska near O'Neill is expected to experience the worst of the storm and receive 7-10 inches of snow.
Rain was falling across much of eastern Nebraska Thursday, but forecasters predicted that would switch over to snow Thursday night. The weather service called for blizzard-like conditions, including strong winds and blowing snow, into early Friday. Snow was expected to continue falling in the east into Saturday.
Nebraska Public Power District spokesman Mark Becker said Thursday evening that 766 customers in O'Neill were without power. He said workers were able to correct the initial problems caused by snow and ice, but an equipment problem has left them unable to restore power right away. Crews were working to reroute power to the town.
Another outage that left 239 customers near Big Springs without power for part of the afternoon has been corrected, Becker said.
NPPD also reported scattered outages Thursday night near Emmet and Whiteclay.
Pete Peterson, Keith County's emergency management director, reported power problems there, with half of Paxton without electricity.
Midwest Electric said it was experiencing substation problems, and power may be out for the rest of Thursday.
Classes in western Nebraska were canceled Thursday because of the storm. Schools in Mullen, Tryon, Stapleton, Hayes Center, Hemingford and Hay Springs were among those that shut their doors.
A little further southeast in North Platte, the rain switched over to snow Thursday morning as temperatures fell.
The Nebraska State Patrol urged motorists to stay off of Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 30 west of North Platte. Extreme caution was advised on most other roads in the western half of the state.
"We are experiencing a pretty powerful spring snow storm," said Captain Jim Parish of the North Platte troop. "The snow is wet and heavy and turning to slush, making it difficult to drive."
There were reports of several vehicles stuck along I-80 near Roscoe, and jackknifed semis were blocking traffic at the Ogallala onramp.
Ranchers were being warned to move livestock into sheltered areas as winds increase up to 30 miles per hour, creating blizzard-like conditions in some areas.
This snow storm is likely to be a headache for much of the state, Phillips said, but many people will be glad to receive the moisture.
And the snow shouldn't last long because warmer temperatures are expected to arrive soon. By Sunday, the weather service says temperatures will climb into the mid 50s in the east, near 60 in central areas and into the lower to mid 60s in the west.
Then maybe winter will be done.
"Hopefully, this is the last gasp," Phillips said.
On the Net:
National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov
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