SIDNEY - "Weather doesn't stop, no matter what's going on." 

Weatherology Meteorologist Laura Lockwood joined News Channel Nebraska on Tuesday to talk about the potential of a major winter storm in the panhandle, southeast Wyoming and northeast Colorado later this week.

The region, which is already dealing with school and business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, was placed under a blizzard warning by the National Weather Service. The warning is for the entire panhandle and runs from 10 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday.

Lockwood says the storm system has enough cold air to produce rain Wednesday night before mixing with snow on Thursday morning. She expects any moisture falling to turn to all snow during the midday on Thursday. Gusty winds will pickup Thursday afternoon, creating blizzard conditions. 

"It's going to be very dangerous out there, especially as we head through Thursday," Lockwood said. "That's going to be the main impact of this system, Thursday into Thursday night - when we see that rain really change over to snow and you get that blowing snow, reducing visibility. Traveling is definitely not advised during that stretch."

As of Tuesday afternoon, forecast models show the largest amounts of snow falling from Cheyenne, Wyo. to the northern panhandle, according to Lockwood. She says these areas could see anywhere between six to eight inches of snow. The rest of the region, including Sidney, could receive up to five inches.

Scottsbluff and Gering have already issued snow emergencies for Thursday morning.

Sterling and Ogallala, who are not included in the blizzard warning, are forecast to still receive three to seven inches. Sterling is in a winter storm watch Thursday. Ogallala was placed in a winter storm warning.

The National Weather Service office in Cheyenne warns conditions will be hazardous to livestock and newborn calves, and travel should be restricted to emergencies only.

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