SIDNEY, Neb. — The National Weather Service issued a Blizzard Warning for the Nebraska Panhandle and central Nebraska as a powerful winter storm approaches the region this week, bringing heavy snow, high winds and whiteout conditions from Monday night through Tuesday evening.

The Blizzard Warning takes effect at 11 p.m. Monday and continues through 5 p.m. Tuesday for Cheyenne, Kimball and Banner counties, where 2 to 8 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph are expected. Whiteout conditions will create hazardous travel, with significantly reduced visibility and blowing snow making roads impassable at times.

Similar conditions are expected in Sheridan, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Arthur, McPherson, Deuel, Keith, Perkins, Chase and Western Cherry counties, where a Blizzard Warning remains in effect until noon Wednesday with wind gusts up to 65 mph.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in place for Dawes, Box Butte, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux counties from 11 p.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Tuesday, where snowfall totals of 1 to 3 inches combined with 60 mph wind gusts could lead to near-blizzard conditions. Laramie County, including Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs, is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 5 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday, with 3 to 5 inches of snow expected and winds causing dangerously low visibility.

Additionally, a High Wind Warning has been issued from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday for Scotts Bluff, Banner, Morrill, Dawes, Box Butte, Sioux, Platte, Goshen and Laramie counties, where north winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph could create hazardous conditions for lightweight and high-profile vehicles on roadways.

Officials urge residents to delay all travel, as road closures and life-threatening conditions are possible. If travel is necessary, authorities recommend carrying a winter survival kit. Near whiteout conditions will make travel extremely dangerous, especially along I-80, Highway 30 and Highway 385.

Another storm system is expected to move through the area Thursday into Friday, potentially bringing additional snowfall.