Forecasters are warning drivers not to attempt to travel as a severe winter storm is set to dump as much as two feet of snow on multiple midwestern states.
Winter Storm Ulna is expected to bring one to two feet of snow along with ferocious winds to parts of Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska, according to USA Today.
Blizzard warnings have been issued in all four states and the National Weather Service has warned drivers of “impossible travel conditions.”
There is high confidence that a major winter storm will affect a large part of the central U.S. Wednesday into Thursday. Severe blizzard conditions are expected in some areas. You risk becoming stranded if you attempt to travel through these conditions. pic.twitter.com/kxOyf0WE0I
— NWS WPC (@NWSWPC) March 11, 2019
The winter storm is so severe that transportation officials in Nebraska shut down all lanes of westbound I-80 at Ogallala starting at 10 a.m. The Nebraska State Patrol warns that travel is not advised, even on secondary roads.
ALERT: Westbound I-80 will be CLOSED at 10 am MDT/11 am CDT at Ogallala (MM 126) in advance of the storm. Please plan ahead. Travel will not be advised, even on secondary roads. Spread the word!
Posted by Nebraska State Patrol on Wednesday, March 13, 2019
On Wednesday morning, the Wyoming Department of Transportation also closed down both directions of I-80 between Cheyenne and Rawlins until further notice.
Winter storm update, March 13, 9 a.m. – Interstate 80 between Rawlins and Cheyenne has closed to all traffic due to the…
Posted by WYDOT District 1 on Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Forecasters are also warning that the storm system could bring wind speeds of up to 100 miles per hour in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado. High winds could cause power outages, or brown outs, authorities warn.
An incredible storm system is taking shape in the central U.S. with blizzard conditions & high winds across several states. Travel will be treacherous in locations, and the combo of snow and wind will likely lead to power outages. Find your local office – https://t.co/NNXwXbQUSd pic.twitter.com/Yr6FAjFIzO
— NWS (@NWS) March 13, 2019
Transportation officials are asking drivers traveling in the Midwest to check local weather conditions before beginning travel.