Band of snow picks out some areas.....leaves others untouched

BEATRICE - What was initially forecast as little to no accumulation, turned into 2 to 3 inches of snow early today, for southeast Nebraska….with the snow still coming down at 8 a.m.

Snow picked up in intensity in the Beatrice area, creating some slick driving conditions.  There were reports of some vehicles sliding off U.S. Highway 77 between Beatrice and Pickrell, during the morning commute.   A band of snow appeared to be localized, dropping heavier amounts on Beatrice and to the south.  One caller reported the PWF Road in southwest Gage County and part of U.S. 77 south of Beatrice, had heavy snow that slowed down traffic considerably. 

A winter weather advisory was issued until noon for south-central Nebraska counties, where slick road conditions were common and blowing snow was reducing visibility. 

Weather spotters reported that the North Platte area had received upwards of 17 inches of snow from the storm system Thursday night into early Friday….while Cozad and Lexington….a few miles to the east, received only 3 inches of snow.

Hayes Center….to the south of North Platte…picked up 8 inches of snow.  Observers reported 4 inches of snow at Fairmont and Exeter.

Beatrice received 2 to 3 inches of snow…..but areas farther north from Cortland to Lincoln, had much lighter amounts or just a dusting.

Snow fell in much of central, south-central and eastern Nebraska....but the wintry bout should be of short duration.  Temperatures are expected to rise back into the 50s Saturday.....with mid 60s on Sunday....in southeast Nebraska.

Radar pictures early Friday showed a mix of snow, sleet and rain across areas of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri.