Tumbleweeds Swallow Cars, Shut Down Highway

news image
Special Stories
1 Jan 2020 9:09 PM
In southeast Washington Tuesday, the snowplows came out to clear the highway of...tumbleweeds! https://twitter.com/wspd3pio/status/1212198578933755905 Trooper Thorson updated the public via Twitter New Year's Eve & Day after strong winds literally swallowed vehicles on Washington Route 240! https://twitter.com/wspd3pio/status/1212291477260230657 It's impressive to get tumbleweeds scooting across any highway, but to get them "piled 20-30 feet in places" as Trooper Thorson mentions, is really something! Daylight broke New Year's Day and public works was able to clear the roadway and get to the vehicles. This particular vehicle did not have anyone inside. https://twitter.com/wspd3pio/status/1212403363326779392 Wind gusts were in the range of 40 miles per hour through New Year's, but some locations across the West had wind gusts up to 80 or 90 mph (mostly in Montana, Wyoming).
All Weather News
More
Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

WHAT TO EXPECTThings will be active across th

14 Sep 2026 10:20 AM
Tropics: Power Restoration Progresses in Kauai, Norbert & TD-E Track West

Tropics: Power Restoration Progresses in Kauai, Norbert & TD-E Track West

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

14 Sep 2026 9:45 AM
No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

For the first time in the satellite era (sinc

14 Sep 2026 9:45 AM
Storms Winding Down Across Northeast

Storms Winding Down Across Northeast

WHAT TO EXPECT Record rainfall has fallen acr

14 Sep 2026 1:10 AM
NEW: 2026 Hottest U.S. Summer On Record

NEW: 2026 Hottest U.S. Summer On Record

If it felt like this summer was relentless an

13 Sep 2026 11:00 PM
High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

Temperatures not only broke records on Wednes

10 Sep 2026 11:10 AM
Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

The plains have had an active summer. Severe

10 Sep 2026 10:15 AM