NORFOLK, Neb. -- A total of 74 Nebraska counties are under a winter weather advisory Thursday afternoon.

The advisory will be in effect until midnight tonight.

The Panhandle and central Nebraska each started seeing snow and icy conditions by Thursday morning, with the eastern third of Nebraska expected to get hit by mid afternoon.

Accidents slowed down traffic near Dix, Gibbon, Aurora and elsewhere. Schools in various regions announced early closures as the weather is expected to deteriorate. 

Freezing rain is expected across the state, with up to two to four inches of snow in some areas.