OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Local hardware stores experienced heavy customer traffic Friday as residents prepared for a weekend winter storm bringing snow and ice to the area.

At Ace Hardware, shoppers purchased snow shovels, ice melt and snow removal equipment ahead of the forecast.

“I think it’s going to be a nasty one,” said Anthony Douglas, a shopper at the store.

“Normally we see it in January and February, but as a transplant from Memphis, this is way earlier than I’m used to,” Douglas said.

Neva Cozine said the weather shift felt characteristic of Nebraska.

“It was so hot this fall and now it gets to be Christmas time and it’s going to be a big, huge storm,” Cozine said.

Douglas said he focused on preventing ice buildup on his driveway.

“We’re looking at some de-icer here for the

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