Winter Storm Watch issued ahead of midweek storm

The first watch has been issued for a storm forecast to hit the panhandle this week. 

Cheyenne, Kimball, Deuel, Morrill, Banner, Scotts Bluff and Garden counties are included in a Winter Storm Watch. Lincoln, Keith, Arthur, McPherson and Grant counties in Neb. and Laramie and Goshen counties in Wyo. are also under the watch.

It will be in effect from Wednesday morning through late Wednesday night. 

This comes hours after the National Weather Service issued its first snowfall predictions for the storm. 

In addition, Cheyenne, Kimball, Morrill, Banner and Scotts Bluff counties have been upgraded from a High Wind Watch to a High Wind Warning on Tuesday. It is in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The NWS says to expect winds at 30-40 miles per hour with gusts around 60 miles per hour. Winds will ramp up Tuesday morning and remain strong throughout the day. 

Logan, Sedgwick and Phillips county are also in a High Wind Warning from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday.