WHEATLAND – A winter storm which came blasting in after the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve dumped wet, heavy snow into the region and Platte County still sits under a winter storm warning until Jan. 2 at 11 p.m.

According to Shelby Fuller, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, this winter storm is in two waves. The first wave hit around 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, and light snow fell into the afternoon. The snow was heavy at times and deposited wet and heavy snow. According to Fuller, up until 8 p.m. Sunday night, portions of Platte County had reported 7.5 inches of snow thus far.

“The winds aren’t a factor,” said Fuller. “The snow is too heavy and wet for any wind we do have to blow and drift. The snow that is taking a break will start up again in Platte County around midnight and will fall throughout the morning hours on Monday. The winter storm warning will continue through 11 p.m. on Monday. We are calling for anywhere between 8 and 12 inches of snow with more snow falling toward the Laramie Range.”

Although roads have been covered with snow, local crews and county crews have kept the snow plowed and with temperatures above freezing, the roads were a little slick on the holiday. After 11 p.m. when the snow begins to fall again, the temperatures will also drop to mid 20s and with the drop in temperature the roads will become icy and may be dangerous.

Meteorologists are not calling for gusty winds until Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, but any snow that falls in the colder temperatures may become a problem for drifting or blowing mid-week. Temperatures are not supposed to rise above freezing until Thursday, when the 6-10-day forecast calls for high 30s and a mix of sun and partly cloudy days.