[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.

[justa-hairyape]

These links from the NOHRSC web site really demonstrate just how much snow we have gotten this year in the Western US. For each area the first link shows the Snow Depth for the Present day February 5th 2008. The second link shows the Snow Depth for the same area 1 year ago today February 5th 2007. Amazing amount of snow as compared to last year. That may help explain why many people were caught unprepared. I mean really, who could have predicted this much of a difference in snow levels ?

Lower Sierra Nevada February 5th 2008
Lower Sierra Nevada February 5th 2007

Oregon February 5th 2008
Oregon February 5th 2007

Idaho and Western Montana February 5th 2008
Idaho and Western Montana February 5th 2007

Southern Colorado Continental Divide February 5th 2008
Southern Colorado Continental Divide February 5th 2007