Blizzard Warning in effect until 5 a.m. Wednesday

SIDNEY -- Weather conditions in Sidney changed drastically from dry roads this morning to icy with limited visibility as a blizzard took aim at the southern Panhandle.

By early afternoon Interstate 80 was closed to eastbound traffic, then to both directions. U.S. Highway 30 was also closed due to conditions. Officials said I-80 was closed at Sidney exit 59 at about 1:18 p.m.

Robert Rogman, of Lincoln, was not surprised, but did not the roads were worse in Wyoming.

"The road's closed. Got off. I'm parking, take off tomorrow morning. Got a big rig so, I got a hotel with me," Rogman said.

He said he hopes he can make it home to Lincoln Wednesday.

Brian Hill was among the drivers caught in blizzard conditions today. Hill, an UPS driver, is eastbound from Ogden, Utah.

He said his drive was disrupted when a Nebraska State Trooper directed him off of I-80. His plan was simple: patience.

He said his unscheduled stop in Sidney happened with "a Trooper on the side of the freeway saying 'road closed.'" His response to the delay: go into Love's and get a cup of coffee and an apple pie, go back to his truck and wait for the roads to open.

Tyrone Leach, originally from Florida, a Tyson driver, found himself with no where to go today. 

"I actually just got past here at Exit 59 (Sidney), ended up getting stuck here because of the blizzard. I'm actually currently parked here at the Love's Truck Stop. I highly suggest anybody that possibly can to find a safe place to park," Leach said.

He said not to expect road conditions to get any better today.

"I highly suggest anybody that can to find a safe place to park," he said.

The storm closed roads south into Colorado from the Kansas border west on Interstate 70 and much of northeastern Colorado. 

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ROAD CONDITIONS