Columbus in bullseye of storm path

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COLUMBUS -- Local students didn’t have to answer the bell this morning as Central Community College-Columbus, Lakeview and Scotus Central Catholic schools canceled classes in the face of a major winter snowstorm.

The storm is expected to leave as much as 8 inches of snow by late Saturday afternoon.

Students at Columbus Public Schools had a scheduled day off today for teacher in-service. Classes at Christ Lutheran and St. John’s schools also were canceled.

The National Weather Service said in its winter storm warning that snow will fall in a series of bands across the state today.

Snow flurries began about 6 a.m. in Columbus and snow had covered the ground by about 8 a.m., according to a report from the Loup Powerhouse. Winds were north-northeast at 13 mph with gusts nearly 20 mph.

Platte County Sheriff Jon Zavadil said no problems had been reported early today, but he urged people to be cautious as more snow fell and winds created potentially hazardous conditions.

Platte County road crews were standing by this morning as snow began accumulating on county roads. The county had four truck plows and 10 motor graders poised to begin moving snow.

“We’re just waiting for plowable snow, about 2 to 3 inches,’’ said County Highway Superintendent Fred Liss about 7:30 a.m. “Once we go out, we’ll be out there all day.”

Columbus-area snowfall totals are expected to range from 4 to 8 inches, with blustery north-northeast winds of 15-18 mph with gusts of more than 25 mph, according to the Nebraska Weather Service.

Many eastern Nebraska school districts closed for the day with the forecast calling for heavy late afternoon snowfall. Among them are districts serving Arlington, Crete, Fremont, Lincoln, Omaha, Nebraska City, York and Yutan.

According to a winter storm briefing conducted by the NWS Thursday afternoon, light snow was to develop this morning with the heaviest accumulation, at a rate of up to an inch per hour, to occur between noon and 6 p.m. East winds up to 30 mph were expected to create blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibility.

Daniel Nietfield, science and operations officer for NWS, said Columbus and the Platte River corridor is included in the “bullseye” area of the winter storm, which could receive more than 8 inches of snow.

Aside from the heavy snowfall, blowing winds and low visibility, the timing of the significant snowfall is expected to pose a problem, Nietfield said.

Drivers “might get where they are going in the morning, but they will have a really difficult time getting home,” he said. “The evening and afternoon commute, getting people home from school, home from work” will be hazardous should the storm occur as forecast.

Tim Hofbauer, Platte County Emergency Management director, said if snowfall begins to accumulate early in the morning it may prompt area residents to adjust their daily routines.

“If this starts early, it will be good for us, because people will be staying home,” Hofbauer said, but “if it is nice enough to come to town, come to work, come to school ... if what (the NWS) says is true, travel will be an issue tomorrow.”

He advised area residents to be aware of weather conditions and make adjustments accordingly.

A caution was issued by Hofbauer and the NWS to only travel in an emergency and for those who must travel, in case of emergency, pack warm clothing, a flashlight, food and water and let someone know your travel itinerary.

The NWS has been monitoring the formation and progression of the storm and its “confidence is relatively high” that the storm will occur as predicted, Nietfield said. “We don’t expect any major changes.”

“This is the first significant snowfall of the season” and as for the magnitude of the storm, it does not qualify as a blizzard, he said. “It is not quite that significant as far as winds, but it is close.”