BIG SPRINGS, Neb. -- Portions of Interstate 80 have reopened in western Nebraska, though large chunks remain impassable. 

The closure now starts for westbound traffic at mile marker 102, near Big Springs, and continues westward to the Wyoming border. Eastbound I-80 is completely open.

I-80 had been closed starting at North Platte until Thursday morning.

Many of the rest of the Panhandle's highways remain closed or impassable.

A total of nine Nebraska counties remain in a blizzard warning until midday Friday.

Sheridan, Cherry, Grant, Hooker, Keya Paha, Brown, Dawes, Box Butte and Sioux Counties remain under the blizzard warning, while several other counties in the northern half of the state are in winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories.

While the northeast part of the state isn't experience the same level of snow as the Panhandle, the region is seeing some precipitation and high winds, with gusts as high as 60 mph.