Not a good time to travel west

Although an early winter storm was slowly easing its grip on the state, travel in western Nebraska remained bogged down today.

Snowfall totals varied widely, but a number of western Nebraska communities recorded 10 to 12 inches of snow.

North Platte has received more snow in October — 30.3 inches — than it usually does in an entire winter season — 29.8 inches.

The parking lot at Bosselman's Truck Stop in Big Springs, Neb., was crowded with semitrailer trucks. For two days, westbound Interstate 80 has been closed because of icy conditions and drifting snow.

“We've got trucks parked all over the place,” said Pete Christman, a clerk at the truck stop.

Christman said he'd had a tricky time negotiating the roads this morning to get to work.

“There's tons of snow,” he said. “There is a lot of snow on top of the roads and a slushlike, icy compound on the base. It's hard to stay straight.”

This severe of a storm this early is a bit unusual, he said.

“But they say we're overdue for an ice age by about 12,000 years,” he quipped. “I guess it's coming.”

The Nebraska State Patrol was discouraging travelers from heading west through Nebraska.

“We really need motorists to delay their travel west on Interstate 80 until this winter storm passes and we can get the roads reopened,” said Maj. Russ Stanczyk, Nebraska State Patrol field services commander.

Hotels in western Nebraska are full or nearly full, so there is “no place for travelers to go,” Stanczyk said.

Westbound Interstate 80 and the parallel route of westbound U.S. Highway 30 were closed at North Platte. Many secondary roads also were closed.

Deb Collins, a spokeswoman for the patrol, said crews were working to get the Interstate open. Part of the problem is that roads are closed in Wyoming and Colorado, too.

“At this point, there is nowhere for westbound traffic to go,” Collins said.

According to the National Weather Service, this was the strongest snowstorm to hit Colorado in 12 years. The snow was expected to stop today, as was the rain on the eastern side of Nebraska.