Blizzard conditions hitting much of Nebraska

Those hoping for a white Christmas look like they may get their wish. They'll just have to deal with blizzard conditions first.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning Wednesday for 21 different counties in northeast and north central Nebraska. Forecasters say anywhere from two to six inches of snow is expected to fall Wednesday, but the wind will be the real hazard.

 Gusts of up to 60 miles per hour have the potential to create whiteout conditions making travel treacherous throughout Nebraska Wednesday.

Driving conditions had already become incredibly difficult by early Wednesday, with the Nebraska Department of Roads closing down an almost 60-mile stretch along U.S. Highway 30 from Elm Creek to Gibbon.

Highway 10 from Kearney to Pleasanton was considered impassable because of weather conditions.

There were multiple reports of vehicles in ditches in the Grand Island and Kearney areas, and roads were covered with snow farther west in the Cozad and Lexington areas.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation reported highways completely covered with ice or snow in Central Nebraska from I-80 to the South Dakota border.

While not every county is in a blizzard warning, many others, such as Custer County, are in winter weather advisories. Custer County Emergency Management sent out a photo of several cars stuck and advised drivers to stay off the roads.