Updated system provides better winter travel info

    While Southwest Nebraska has experienced higher-than-normal temperatures this fall, sooner or later, the snow will come—guaranteed.
    Short of a full blizzard, snow doesn’t stop travel on Nebraska’s highways.
    To make travel safer, three Nebraska agencies joined together to improve winter weather travel information. The result—a newly redesigned and enhanced Nebraska 511 info center.
    Nebraska 511 has been the go-to source for winter travel information for more than two decades. From November 2020 to October 2021, the 511 system was utilized by 1.5 million users.
    The enhanced system was a collaborative effort of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska State Patrol and the National Weather Service.
    The service provides information on construction, road conditions, closures, lane restrictions, highway cameras and other important information.
    The updated Nebraska 511 includes integrated weather, dedicated information to commercial carriers, overhead digital signs and their messages, updated icons and an improved user interface.
    The system, which originally debuted as a phone service, also includes a web application and a mobile phone app for IOS and Android devices.
It’s accessible by dialing 511 on a mobile phone or on the web at www.511.nebraska.gov .
    Users can also set up their own account that will them to save favorite routes and cameras, schedule SMS or email alerts and customize the 511 dial-in experience.
    John Selmer, NDOT director, said that when winter weather strikes their goal is to keep roadways open but also to close them for the safety of the traveling public.
    With the information provided by the 511 service, motorists can get the best information possible for decision making on travel.
    The department’s state operations center works around the clock to provide motorists with the most up-to-date information.
Winter preparedness
    Shawn Jacobs serves as the warning coordinator meteorologist with the National Weather Service in North Platte.
    He reminds people to be aware of some of the warnings that may be issued.
    • Winter Storm Watch—Issued when there is a possibility of significant amounts of snow or ice accumulations within the next 24 to 36 hours of the onset of a winter storm system.
A Winter Storm Watch can be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning or Blizzard Warning, or downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory.   
    • Winter Storm Warning—Issued when a storm is producing or expected to produce heavy snow or significant ice accumulations.  
    • Blizzard Warning: A winter storm with sustained winds or frequent wind gusts to 35 mph or greater, continued blowing or falling snow that reduces visibility to one-quarter of a mile or less for at least three hours.
    Forecasted snow amounts are not taken into account when issuing a blizzard warning.