Winter storm hits; cold coming

A winter storm hit the area and all of eastern Nebraska, beginning late Sunday night with a light snowfall. Because of the Winter Storm Warning that was issued, many area schools — Osmond included — had already begun announcing closings for Monday. During most of the day on Monday, the snow fell straight down, but that evening the wind picked up and started blowing the snow into drifts. Because of the Christmas day snow that was still lying around, it was hard to guess the total, but it was estimated to be about 5 inches of snow — not too bad considering the 10-13 inches reported in other parts of the state. Because of the blowing snow, the Winter Storm Warning remained in effect through Tuesday. Temperatures for the rest of the week are going to get very cold. Although it is predicted to be about 28 degrees on Wednesday, which is normal for this time of year, it will then drop to 13 degrees on Thursday, 3 degrees Friday, and fall below zero for the next few days before making its way back above zero next week. Pictured above, even without the wind blowing, the thick snowfall could be seen out in the country. At right, Luke Hart works to clear the sidewalk on the west side of downtown State Street on Monday.