Photo by Ellen Mortensen

Sit down in any coffee shop across the region today, the the topic of conversation is likely to be the weather. "Have you ever seen this much snow in October?", or "How far behind is your harvesting?" are just two of the questions many have been asking one another, as once again a winter-type storm blanketed south-central and western Nebraska with snow. Unofficial amounts reported within the past 24 hours include 13 inches in and around Gothenburg, around a foot at Arnold, and about 6 inches in Broken Bow. The snow caused schools across the area to cancel classes Friday, and many local businesses were suggesting their employees come to work only if they felt they could do so safely. The heavy, wet snow made driving conditions difficult, but a few energetic souls found ways to make it fun. This snowman proudly stood along East Highway 2 in Broken Bow Friday.