Winter storm to bring very white Christmas to Nebraska
Some parts of the state could see up to two feet of snow by Tuesday evening.
By News Channel Nebraska
UNDATED - Those hoping for a white Christmas will be getting their wish, in a major way.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for 45 different counties in Nebraska through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
NWS forecasters say the rain making its way through the state on Sunday will transition to freezing participation as temperatures cool. That could mean up to a tenth of an inch of ice accumulation, particularly in the easternmost portions of Nebraska.
And then comes the snow.
The NWS says starting Monday, snow will blanket central and northeast Nebraska. Exact snowfall amounts will vary, but total amounts upwards of 20 inches will be possible near towns like Ainsworth and O'Neill.
Winds are also expected to gust up to 50 miles per hour, which could make travel difficult to impossible on Christmas.
The weather is already affecting Christmas plans. Churches in Lynch and Atkinson were canceling Christmas services due to the deteriorating road conditions.
The City of Norfolk, meanwhile, has declared a snow emergency beginning 5 p.m. Sunday. That means vehicles can't be parked on either side of the street along the city's emergency snow routes, and parking is not allowed on even sides of the street in other residential areas.