Blowing Snow Causes Closure of Interstate - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Blowing snow causes several accidents, and for transportation officials to close interstate.

Interstate from Mandan to the Montana border closed around 2:40 central time Saturday afternoon.

This after a report of several accidents between Bismarck and Dickinson, especially near the New Salem area.

North Dakota Highway Patrol Sergeant Pat Hudson says the accidents weren't caused by icy roads as much as poor visibility from the extreme blowing snow.

"More visibility with the snow we had earlier, plus the strong winds making it very difficult to see, and then there was some blowing snow causing some issues on the roadway as well." says Sgt. Pat Hudson

As far as Sgt. Hudson knew Saturday afternoon, the accidents were believed to be mostly property accidents.

He says the biggest problem areas are the ones out in the open.

Along with I-94, the North Dakota Department of Transportation issued a no travel advisory for much of the northwest part of the state.

A travel alert remains in effect for Devils Lake and surrounding areas.

Truckers were already camped out in west Mandan, waiting for the road conditions to clear.

Sgt. Hudson says as soon as the plows get a chance to clear the roads, interstate should reopen.