Treacherous driving conditions forced the closure of several Northwest Kansas highways Wednesday afternoon into the late night hours. The Kansas Department of Transportation closed Interstate 70 from Colorado to Russell due mainly to the blowing snow decreasing visibility.

Law enforcement in Hays worked to safely park semis north of the interstate and direct other motorists. Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Ring determined there was no need to set up a shelter with more than 500 motel rooms still available around ten o’clock Wednesday night.

The interstate was reopened around 1:30am.

Other highways including 183 north of Hays and 36 from Phillipsburg west to the border were closed for several hours overnight. All highways are now open.