Videos Show Blizzard Pummeling Nebraska, Snarling Christmas Traffic

As a winter storm with blizzard conditions pummels Nebraska and wreaks havoc on Christmas Day travel, state officials warn people to stay home.

Videos and photos shared on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday show the wintry weather slamming York County, where whiteout conditions caused a crash involving "multiple jack-knifed" semis and snarled Christmas Day travel.

On Monday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories and blizzard warnings for Nebraska and nine other states: Alaska, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington.

NWS forecasters warned that a large storm system will bring heavy snow and blizzard conditions.

Cody Thomas, a spokesman for the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), told Newsweek in an email on Monday that "blowing snow and slick conditions" were a factor in the crash, which closed the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 for more than three hours.

"So far today, troopers have handled about 60 weather-related incidents, mostly between Lincoln and North Platte on Interstate 80," Thomas said. "Most of the state has been affected by today's storm."

Thomas said the NSP has not received any reports of injuries because of the weather-related incidents.

The NSP said those who must venture out should check 511 for updated road conditions.

"We're urging all travelers to assess whether or not their travel is absolutely necessary before hitting the road," Thomas said.

Newsweek reached out to the NWS via email on Monday for comment.

About 11 a.m. Monday, the NSP posted photos on X, formerly Twitter, showing multiple semis off the roadway.

"The storm is causing issues on the roads on this Christmas morning," NSP posted on X. "Slick driving conditions and blowing snow continue in many areas of the state. These photos are all from between Grand Island and Lincoln on I-80. Great day to stay inside if travel isn't necessary."

An hour later, the NSP posted that the eastbound lanes of I-80 were closed in York County "due to multiple jack-knifed semis."

"Travel is not advised during blizzard conditions," the NSP said.

In an X post, meteorologist Nick Stewart shared an aerial image of the I-80 crash.

"A large crash involving several semis has shut down I-80 East near York, Nebraska," Stewart posted on X.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum posted a video on X showing the whiteout conditions in Aurora.

"We've got a camera in Aurora, within the blizzard-warned area," Blum posted on X. "Winds are really picking up for them as is some of the snow, creating whiteout conditions just before noon. Good to stay indoors if you're in the Blizzard Warning, avoiding travel unless necessary."

Weather Nation shared a clip on X of dogs in Columbus reacting to the weather.

"Almost the entire state of Nebraska is under a Blizzard Warning, and these doggos are having none of it," Weather Nation posted.

X user Dirt_128 shared a video of cattle running through the snow.

"Good, old-fashioned Christmas blizzard[.] Taking some cows up to shelter," Dirt_128 posted.

"While a White Christmas may be exciting for those nestled at home, the heavy snowfall rates and reduced visibilities due to blowing snow will make for hazardous, to even impossible, travel conditions," the NWS said.