Winter storm threatens Chadron

Chadron and the surrounding areas should prepare for a winter storm in the upcoming days. After enjoying a taste of spring the past couple of weeks, winter returns to the region.
Wednesday morning the National Weather Service of Cheyenne, Wyoming, issued a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Wednesday night until Friday morning. According to the NWS, snow began to fall in southern Wyoming on Tuesday night and will move east throughout the week. The snowstorm is set to impact large parts of eastern Wyoming and the western Nebraska Panhandle, with accumulating snow expected to begin late Wednesday night and continue through Friday morning.
The forecast for Chadron is 8-14 inches of snow. East to northeast winds of 20-30 mph with gusts of 40 mph are also being anticipated causing low visibility and travel difficulties for the weekend. Low temperatures during the cold front will be in the teens and 20s until Monday.
A common phrase heard across campus when a snowstorm is looming is, “if it snows, it better snow enough for a snow day.”
For many students at CSC, if there is a chance of snow, hopes run high for a possible snow day. In January campus shut down for two days because of the inclement weather. During that period, Alex Helmbrecht, director of college relations, became a popular name among students and faculty at CSC, as his name is attached to the electronic messages notifying students and faculty members that campus is closed. Although Helmbrecht is the one in charge of notifying students, the final decision is made by CSC President Randy Rhine.
“The main goal in the decision is to keep people safe,” Helmbrecht said.
Once the decision is made, Rhine alerts Helmbrecht, who then sends out the message as e-mails, text messages, and on social media to students, faculty and the public. Helmbrecht said the e-mail is the official communication between the college and the community and students. The servers are controlled and maintained by the college, while the text messaging service is controlled by a company called AlertSense.
“There hasn’t been a meeting so far to discuss the weather, but it is likely later today,” Helmbrecht said as of Wednesday morning.
There has been one forced cancellation due to the storm so far. An email from Helmbrecht states, “Chadron State College’s Teacher Interview Day scheduled for Friday at the Student Center has been canceled due to potential winter weather. The event will not be rescheduled. For more information, contact Janet Hartman at 308-432-6292.”
Students fearful of the storm can check their EagleMail for the alert of a campus closure.