CHADRON - A moderate to heavy band of snow dropped four to eight inches of snow from near Lusk, Wyo. to Harrison and Chadron, Neb. Monday morning as a widespread spring storm system dumps snow and flares up severe weather for the nation's midsection this week.  

The National Weather Service office in Cheyenne says eastern Wyoming and northwest Nebraska will likely be the main epicenter of highest snow totals according to current forecasts. Winter storm and blizzard warnings remain in effect for Chadron, Harrison, Torrington, and Gordon until Wednesday evening.

Weather Eye Meteorologist Paul Trambley says these areas could receive between 12-16 inches of snow.

"Even if we squeeze out an inch or two Tuesday, the winds that we see provided by this system could cause for some issue for travel with blowing snow," Trambley said. "Kind of being watched closely."

Chadron State College closed its campus all day Tuesday, because of the winter weather conditions. The residence halls and dining services remained open. The presidential candidates’ schedules have been altered due to the closure. The presidential candidates, who were originally scheduled to be on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, will now be on campus Wednesday and Thursday.

Trambley advises not to travel Monday night through Tuesday as you get further into the northwest part of the Panhandle.

The Nebraska and Wyoming Departments of Transportation reported deteriorating road conditions in the panhandle and southeast Wyoming late Monday morning. The National Weather Service office in Cheyenne says travel will be very challenging to near impossible in several areas. 

According to Trambley, conditions will worsen throughout the day Monday into Tuesday evening. 

"It looks like the event is going to be a pretty long event," Trambley said. "They're getting some of the snow already in the northern Panhandle. It picks up in intensity Monday night there and it doesn't let up until Tuesday evening. So, it's really from Monday through Tuesday night with blowing snow through Wednesday morning."

A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday for Banner, Scotts Bluff, Morrill, and Garden Counties in Nebraska; Laramie County in southeast Wyoming. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected in these areas, with higher amounts in the Wildcat Hills.

Sidney, Kimball, Chappell, and Sterling could get between one to three inches of snow, but are not included in any weather alerts, as of early Monday afternoon.

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ROAD CONDITIONS

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