(NECN/NBC News: Jay Gray, Kansas City, Mo.) - A bitter winter was tightening its grip on much of the midwest Thursday morning.
Thirty-million across the nation's mid-section braced for a day of ice, sleet and snow. Forecasters said, at the worst point, Kansas City could see as much as an inch of snow an hour.
"This latest weather storm is going to have everything with it, some freezing rain, some ice, and some heavy snow," Weather Channel Meteorologist Paul Goodloe said.
That snow started to fall across the region Thursday, including parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado and Kansas.
Shovels were out, and plows were already working in the morning. But if the forecast would hold true, they may not be able to keep up the pace.
Some areas expected blizzard conditions, and accumulations of two-feet or more before it was over.
Many people were busy making sure they stocked-up on supplies to ride out the storm.
"Just in case, I live far enough out of town that it's not convenient and we have enough roads in the country that do get rather snow bound," said Marsha Akerson of Hastings, Neb.
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Some roads and highways were already slick Thursday morning, leading to accidents. Patrol officers warned: It's going to get worse.
"If you don't need to go out, we are asking people to stay off the road way just because of the conditions that are deteriorating," said Wichita Police Lt. Doug Nolte.
The snow was not expected to end until sometime Thursday night, and by then there could be close to two feet on the ground in Kansas City.
