(AP) — Classes and school events have been canceled as northwest Nebraska awaits what could develop into a blizzard.

The Panhandle Post report that Chadron State College homecoming parade and other homecoming events have been canceled.

Friday classes were canceled for schools in Gordon, Rushville and Chadron, and Hemingford school officials were planning to dismiss students at 11 a.m.

The National Weather Service blizzard warning covers five of the northernmost counties in the Nebraska Panhandle.

North of Chadron, a foot of snow has already fallen in South Dakota’s scenic Black Hills. Residents are bracing for as much as 3 feet of snow, along with wind gusts of up to 70 mph.