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
Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

The hottest temperatures of the year are loom

30 Jun 2026 2:00 AM
Massive Fires Burn in the Four Corners

Massive Fires Burn in the Four Corners

Photo: Iron Fire getting doused with a retard

30 Jun 2026 1:50 AM
Slow-Moving Front Could Turn Tropical This Week

Slow-Moving Front Could Turn Tropical This Week

Early in the season, we watch closer to the c

30 Jun 2026 12:50 AM
Severe Storms Keep Northern U.S. Active

Severe Storms Keep Northern U.S. Active

Monday morning, one storm brought significant

30 Jun 2026 12:45 AM
Storms Spark up in the Northeast Ahead of Heatwave

Storms Spark up in the Northeast Ahead of Heatwave

Severe storms will be possible Tuesday and We

29 Jun 2026 10:30 PM
'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

As Summer settles in across the Central U.S.,

28 Jun 2026 2:10 AM
Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's

26 Jun 2026 2:25 AM