
Monster Spring Snowstorm Leaves Truckers In Its Wake (PHOTOS)
A monster spring snowstorm is pounding large swaths of the central U.S. making travel almost impossible in some places.
The storm has been bringing a wide range of wild weather, including thunder and lightning, high winds, ice and heavy snow.
As of Thursday afternoon, more than 75,000 customers are without power across the Great Lakes, northern Plains and in California, according to Power Outage U.S.
A powerhouse blizzard continues to wreak havoc across the central US with feet of snow and howling winds: https://t.co/Tyk83Rni1u pic.twitter.com/PiWagvPLHE
— AccuWeather (@breakingweather) April 11, 2019
More than 30,000 of those outages are in Minnesota where the storm has been particularly brutal for travelers and truckers.
The Minnesota Highway Patrol reports the storm has led to 112 crashes including 163 vehicle spin outs and 10 jackknifed semis statewide from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
#MSPNumbers Statewide 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 04/11/19: 112 crashes (12 with injury, 0 serious/fatal) & 163 veh spin out/off the road & 10 jackknifed semis.
— State Patrol PIO (@MSPPIO) April 11, 2019
MHP has reported 12 injuries, but thankfully, no fatalities thus far.
RT @MSPPIO_NW: Troopers are responding to more jackknifed semis than I can remember – most of which the trailers are empty or light loads. With the wind and road conditions it’s not going well so please use some good discretion. #DriveSmart pic.twitter.com/8DU4lPuiTp
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 11, 2019
RT @MSPPIO_SOUTH: Strong winds are still impacting travel on I-35 near Faribault. Semi in center median no injuries reported. Troopers are still busy with crashes and vehicles in the ditch. pic.twitter.com/ZdNgeS1Io5
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 11, 2019
Per reports to the National Weather Service, below are the highest snow totals by state thus far:
- South Dakota: Dupree and Mud Butte, 18 inches
- Wyoming: Alta, 18 inches
- Wisconsin: Osseo, 10.5 inches
- Colorado: Fort Garland, 10 inches
- Nebraska: Harrison, 10 inches
- Minnesota: Lakeville, 9.8 inches
- North Dakota: Havana, 4 inches
- Iowa: Dorchester, 3 inches
- Michigan: Saint Johns, 2.5 inches
- Kansas: Oakley, 1.5 inches
On Wednesday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis activated the state National Guard to help with blizzard rescues and stranded motorists.
Colorado is one of six states where officials declared blizzard warnings, in addition to Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
High winds have also been wreaking havoc on semis. An incredible 107-mph wind gust was recorded in Pueblo West, Colorado.
On the southern side of the storm the high winds and dry air is making for a high fire danger for portions of New Mexico and Texas.
Here are more scenes from the winter weather storm SO FAR.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a crash left a semi dangling on a bridge prompting the closure of Interstate 70 for about four hours in western Kansas late Wednesday night into early Thursday.
The semi struck a KDOT truck both headed east before going off a bridge with the tractor coming to rest on a county road below.

The Minnesota State Patrol has reported 12 jackknifed semis so far during the storm.
