GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Interstate 80 was closed in both directions between Grand Island and Lincoln as blizzard conditions created treacherous travel across central Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) issued the closure Tuesday evening, urging drivers to find a safe place for the night and avoid all unnecessary travel. Travel was not advised across all of eastern Nebraska as of 4 a.m. Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service, winds gusting between 55-65 mph, combined with snow and ice, led to near-zero visibility and blizzard-like conditions along the interstate.

The High Wind Warning and Winter Weather Advisory remained in effect until midnight Tuesday night, with conditions expected to gradually improve Wednesday afternoon. However, gusts up to 60 mph may persist through noon Wednesday.

Multiple crashes were reported along I-80, including at least one fatality near Grand Island, according to KSNB-TV. A jackknifed semi blocked a section of westbound I-80 in central Nebraska Tuesday afternoon. Another crash near mile marker 310 resulted in at least one fatality. Additional crashes and stranded vehicles have been reported near the Minden/Highway 10 exit and other stretches of the interstate.

NDOT and the Nebraska State Patrol continue to monitor road conditions and assist stranded motorists. 

This storm system is expected to weaken by Wednesday evening, but forecasters are already tracking another round of snow Thursday night into Friday morning, which could bring additional accumulations north of I-80.