Winter storm losing some of its punch, across central plains

BEATRICE - A winter storm continues to barrel across southeast Nebraska on the first day of 2022…though it may be dropping less snow than originally expected.

Visibility was being reduced to less than half-a-mile in many areas due to snow and blowing snow.  The National Weather Service says the peak rates of snow were expected Saturday over a six hour stretch from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. 

The storm is being accompanied by cold temperatures and wind chills ranging from 15 to 30 below zero, into Sunday morning. 

Forecasters were saying that snowfall amounts were being reduced somewhat, because the snow pattern was struggling to overcome dry air and turning to vapor before some of it hits the ground.

Four to seven inches of snow was the projection from the storm before it ends, across far southeast Nebraska. Some isolated amounts above seven inches are possible. Travel was hazardous across parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa.