SIDNEY, Neb. - A major winter storm began sweeping across Nebraska early Tuesday evening, bringing high winds, snow and dangerous travel conditions to the Nebraska Panhandle, northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming.

Officials are urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel as roads become increasingly hazardous overnight. As of 8:45 p.m. MDT, roads in the Nebraska Panhandle were partially covered in snow, ice and slush, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Officials warn road closures may be necessary overnight due to deteriorating conditions.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Banner, Kimball and Cheyenne counties, including Sidney, through 6 a.m. Wednesday. Forecasts call for two to four inches of snow, with wind gusts up to 55 mph reducing visibility and creating blowing snow hazards. A similar advisory is in effect for Logan, Sedgwick and Phillips counties in Colorado until 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The storm will bring much colder temperatures and strong winds through the rest of the week, with another chance of precipitation on Saturday.

In central and eastern Nebraska, a blizzard warning is in effect from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday. These areas could see four to 10 inches of snow, with wind gusts up to 70 mph creating whiteout conditions and making travel extremely dangerous.

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Significant weather updates on 987 The Big Boy and Cheyenne County Country are brought to you by Pittam Body Shop - "Your one stop shop for all your car care needs at 819 18th Ave. in Sidney. Call (308) 254-4000."