Plains

Severe storm threat heating up again for truckers in Plains

White tractor-trailer traveling toward dark storm cloud.

After a brief break from stormy weather Tuesday, truckers in the Plains should brace for the return of severe weather.

Parts of the region have been slammed recently with destructive storms, including an EF3 tornado in Andover, Kansas, on Friday evening. The National Weather Service received more than 620 reports of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail from Friday through Monday, most of them in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas. Many of the same areas will be at risk for additional...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/severe-storm-threat-heating-up-again-for-truckers-in-plains

Plains under the gun Monday for more tornadoes

Tractor-trailer heading into thunderstorm.

After a weekend of severe storms and tornadoes in the Plains, another round is likely Monday. Truckers will have to be on their toes.

The National Weather Service received more than 500 reports of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail Friday through Sunday, most of them in parts of the heartland.

The strongest tornado so far heavily damaged Andover, Kansas, a suburb of Wichita. The NWS rated it an EF3, saying winds peaked around 165 mph based on the damage. A few people were injured, but...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/plains-under-the-gun-monday-for-more-tornadoes

Blizzard producing record snowfall in northern Plains

Semi in a blizzard.

A slow-moving blizzard that began earlier this week has been dumping record snow in parts of the northern Plains.

Daily record snow totals were set Tuesday in Billings, Montana, as well as Bismarck and Grand Forks, North Dakota, which received 13.9, 10 and 9 inches, respectively. After additional snow Wednesday, their totals increased to 14.1, 16.5 and 9.4, respectively.

While records were set for that day, meteorologist Megan Jones with the National Weather Service in Bismarck told FreightWaves...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/blizzard-producing-record-snowfall-in-northern-plains

I-94 closed as blizzard hits northern Plains

Plow clearing snow off North Dakota highway.

A large section of Interstate 94 remains closed as a blizzard continues to hit the northern Plains.

As of early Wednesday morning, a nearly 500-mile stretch of the highway was still off-limits from Billings, Montana, to Jamestown, North Dakota. The closures began Tuesday afternoon and, according to transportation officials, are likely to continue Wednesday.

The storm has already dumped anywhere from 12 to 48 inches of snow in parts of the region, along with wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph.

Roads...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/i-94-closed-as-blizzard-hits-northern-plains

Tornado threat returns to South after deadly storms last week

For the second week in a row, truckers will face another threat of tornadoes in the Plains and South as an approaching system intensifies. 

Last week, more than 50 tornadoes hit from Texas to the Carolinas, including a deadly EF3 tornado just east of downtown New Orleans. This next round of severe storms may also contain strong tornadoes.

Related: Tornadoes across South may further strain flatbed capacity

Tuesday

The next round of severe weather will begin Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tornado-threat-returns-to-south-after-deadly-storms-last-week

High wind threat spreading across Plains

Truckers face an elevated risk of rollovers Thursday from the southern Plains into the Desert Southwest.

A potent low pressure system and associated cold front will sweep through the region, producing high winds from portions of Oklahoma to central and western Texas, as well as eastern and western New Mexico.

The National Weather Service has issued wind advisories for these areas, with a more serious high wind warning in parts of western Texas. Gusts in these areas will reach 45 to 60 mph at...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/high-wind-threat-spreading-across-plains

Blizzard conditions heading back to Rockies, Plains

Truckers will face treacherous travel the next two days from the Rockies to the Plains as potential blizzard conditions develop.

Related: Chaining up: 4 pro tips for truckers

A strong cold front from Canada will move across the Rockies and central Plains from Tuesday through Thursday, dumping 12 to 24 inches of snow in some high elevations. This front already triggered snow squalls in Montana Monday night.

Wind gusts will reach 35 to 40 mph at times, leading to whiteouts and possible road closures...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/blizzard-conditions-heading-back-to-rockies-plains

Warnings posted for far-reaching winter storm

Truckers will hit messy winter weather through Friday morning from the Plains to the Northeast. Intermittent delays are likely due to reduced speeds, low visibility and potential road closures.

Related: Chaining up: 4 pro tips for truckers

A strong cold front will move through the central and eastern U.S. over the next 24 to 30 hours, producing areas of ice, heavy snow and gusty winds from Oklahoma to Maine and eastern Canada.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday upgraded many winter storm...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/warnings-posted-for-far-reaching-winter-storm

Hot Shots: Blizzard, dust storm, brush fire

Every Friday, FreightWaves takes a look at the past week or so in social media, highlighting images in trucking, transportation and weather. This week features whiteout conditions in the Upper Midwest, dusty conditions in the northern Plains and a California brush fire fanned by high winds.

Whiteout

An Alberta Clipper system — a fast-moving winter storm that typically enters the north-central U.S. from Canada — hit the Upper Midwest on Thursday. It dumped 3 to 7 inches of snow in northern parts...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hot-shots-blizzard-dust-storm-brush-fire

High-impact winter storm threat from Great Plains to Great Lakes

Snow, ice and blizzard conditions will impact supply chains for days across a huge swath of the U.S., from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes.

Related: 5 states with toughest chain laws for truckers

A storm system is projected to intensify Wednesday and Thursday across the southern Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes. With frigid arctic air already draped across some of these areas and headed to others, the ingredients are coming together for a potentially major ice and snow storm.

Based on the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/high-impact-winter-storm-threat-from-great-plains-to-great-lakes

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