North Platte, Nebraska
November 11, 2022
I broke my guideline of not driving on interstates. My rationale was that I had already driven the "blue highways" of this part of the state.
This sign caught me off guard -- I70 is closed often enough that there is a sign for it? Oh, right -- winter. I assume it is closed for snow but perhaps there are times when it is for wind? Wednesday, November 9th, was a very windy day with a constant 25+ mph wind from the south. It was also warm -- 70+ degrees. And with a dramatic gray sky.
The LED sign says "High Winds Expected." I thought the juxtaposition with the wind turbine was cool.
The distances in the west are so great sometimes I find myself using them even though I prefer the often narrow 2 lane roads that cross prairies or meander through hills and mountains.
You will see the "Closed" signs frequently on the interstates of the northern midwest and western states. The flat prairies can receive inches of drifting snow in a few hours. High winds will topple 18 wheelers and large RV's. Ice storms make the road slick as glass. The heartland midwestern and western states protect the traveler, and the safety of the snow removal crews, by shutting down the roads when severe wintery weather is expected. However, they also clear the roads quickly when the storm passes on.