[justa-hairyape]

Another image from Colorado. This one illustrates what people caught in these blizzards mean when they say 'where do you put the snow ?'

AP Photo/Nathan Bilow
Rudy Rozman of Crested Butte, Colorado. stands on a snowbank as he shovels a roof.

[justa-hairyape]

Heavy snow troubles in Montana.

Officials to close I-90 for avalanche control

By JOHN CRAMER of the Missoulian

Interstate 90 near Lookout Pass will close temporarily Tuesday morning while highway officials try to trigger and clean up avalanches before they occur naturally.

Many modes of transportation have shut down over the years because of Montana's winter weather - airports, roads, railroads - but it will be the first time in state history that pre-emptive avalanche work closes an interstate highway.

More than 9 feet of snow has settled along I-90 and even more at higher elevations above the interstate.

Other sections of I-90 might be closed for more avalanche control work later this winter, but no final decision has been made.

“When we blow this one, we'll get an indication of how the others will react,” Moeller said.