Deadly pileups and fast-moving Plains wildfires fueled by dangerous winds; Snow snarls travel in Sierra Nevada

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Powerful winds kicking up dust across the plains contributed to multiple fatal crashes

and sparked rapidly spreading wildfires on Tuesday, as dry grasses fueled fast-moving

flames.

Heavy winds created dangerous, brown-out conditions, along interstate 25 near Pueblo, Colorado

on Tuesday morning, with a massive multi-vehicle crash happening amid low to near zero visibility.

The Colorado State Patrol responded to the mid-morning crash on Southbound I-25, just

south of Pueblo Boulevard, preliminary findings indicating that more than 30 vehicles were involved

including six semis.

Authorities have confirmed four fatalities in that wreck, and 29 people were transported

to hospitals, though the extent of their injuries remains unknown.

Both directions of I-25 were closed in the area.

Northbound Mile Post 93 in Southbound at Mile Post 94 has the Colorado State Patrol

vehicular crimes unit continued its investigation.

Strong winds were building across the central U.S. when the accident occurred, with gusts

between 50 and 60 miles per hour in Pueblo on Tuesday.

Accuethers Alan Reppert said that those strong winds will continue today with gusts and

excess of 60 to 70 miles per hour at times, and along with the winds there can be blowing

dust that could also reduce the visibility.

Strong winds can be particularly dangerous to high-profile vehicles such as tractor trailers.

This paired with reduced visibility from the blowing dust can create dangerous driving

conditions.

Farther east just outside of Oakley, Kansas, another multi-vehicle pile-up occurred

on I-70 during low visibility caused by blowing dust, underscoring the widespread travel

hazards created by the powerful windstorm.

Islands in the area were gusting around 60 miles per hour at the time the crash was reported.

In Oklahoma, a fast-growing wildfire in the Oklahoma Panhandle, east of Beaver quickly

spread into Kansas, Oklahoma Forestry Services estimated that the fire in Beaver County is

about 15,000 acres.

Gusting winds up to 65 miles per hour were prohibiting aviation operations over the fire

on Tuesday afternoon, and officials said that the fire was exhibiting extreme rates of

spread and had crossed into Kansas.

In Texas County, Oklahoma, the town of Tyrone was evacuated on Tuesday afternoon due to

a rapidly spreading fire.

The National Weather Service in Amarillo said several large wildfires were burning Tuesday

across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles.

Well, a powerful storm is hammering the West Coast, dumping flooding rain across Southern

California and unleashing feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada, forcing major highway closures

and bringing travel to a dangerous standstill.

AccuWeather meteorologists are tracking three storms lined up to sweep across the western

U.S. this week with the first that already caused widespread damage and disruptions earlier

in the week.

Severe thunderstorms roared across parts of Central and Southern California with damaging

wind gusts and hail.

In Fresno County, a reported tornado tore part of the roof off a cow fire station in

Tranquility.

Crews were out on a call at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Heavy rain quickly triggered flooding and debris flows, coastal and valley communities

picked up to close to two and a half inches of rain on Monday, while foothill and mountain

areas received up to five inches.

By the end of this week, storm totals could approach nine inches in some areas, racing

the threat of additional flash flooding and mudslides.

Dozens of roads were impacted across LA and Ventura counties, including sections of

the Pacific coast highway due to mud and debris.

Conditions are expected to worsen in the Sierra Nevada, where extreme snowfall will make travel

nearly impossible.

CalTrans closed portions of Interstate 80 at the Nevada State Line on Monday, after

multiple spinouts and crashes.

Both directions over Donner's summit were later shut down because of dangerous winter weather.

Through Wednesday, eight to 12 feet of snow is forecast in the high country of the Sierra

Nevada.

Wide-out conditions, avalanche danger and prolonged highway shutdowns are likely as

the powerful winter storm continues.

In California and Nevada are urging drivers to avoid mountain travel unless absolutely necessary.

That's all for now.

You can find more regional forecasts and science-based articles at acuether.com and for your local forecast

at your fingertips, download the Acuether app.

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Be safe.

I'll be back tomorrow with more from Acuether.