By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A winter storm is closing roads and knocking out power across parts of western Kansas.

The National Weather Service has issued a combination of blizzard warnings, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories in about three dozen counties.

Forecasts are calling for ice and from 2 to 12 inches of snow Thursday. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph also are possible, creating whiteout conditions.

Ellis County is in a Winter Weather Advisory with 2-5 inches of snow predicted.

The Blizzard Warning includes Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Logan, Gove, Greeley and Wichita counties, where some businesses and government offices are closed for the day.

Soldiers from the Hays-based Army National Guard 997th Brigade Support Battalion left Wednesday night about 9 p.m. to stage in Sharon Springs as part of the state’s Stranded Motorist Assistance Teams after Gov. Jeff Colyer declared a disaster.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says Interstate 70 is completely snow covered west of Hays. At least two vehicle slide offs were reported this morning in the Hays area near Toulon. Another semi-truck was off the road blocking traffic at mile marker 151 between Hays and Ellis. At 8:45 a.m., I-70 remained open across the state.

Several highways in the southwest corner of the state are closed, including stretches of U.S. 50. About 2,500 Wheatland Electric Cooperative customers in southwest Kansas are without power.

For the latest road conditions, go online to www.kandrive.org or call 511.

For the latest local cancellations and postponements, check Hays Post.