U.S. Trucking Weather Briefing — Sunday, November 2, 2025
Plan for a split day nationally: the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies stay wet and unsettled with areas of strong wind in parts of Montana, while the central and eastern U.S. start chilly and trend milder. A Pacific-driven front spreads rain into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes late today into tonight, reaching the Northeast on Monday. No organized flash-flood threat is expected today.
Northern Rockies and Western/Central Montana
Expectation: Strong crosswinds and periods of rain with snow at higher elevations. Mountain passes may turn slick, and high-profile vehicles will face difficult handling, especially in exposed gaps and along ridge lines.
- Primary corridors: I-90 (MT/ID), I-15 (MT), and approaches to Yellowstone/Grand Teton.
- Impacts: Reduced traction over higher passes, occasional visibility drops in showers, and wind-driven lane drift for empty or lightly loaded trailers.
- Driver strategy: Slow down on exposed stretches, space out ahead of passes, and stage heavier loads for the windiest periods. Allow extra time for mountain crossings.
High Plains (eastern MT, WY, CO into western NE)
Expectation: Elevated fire weather conditions from dry air and gusty winds. The primary truck risk is blow-over for light or high-profile rigs.
- Key routes: I-25 (WY/CO), I-80 (WY/NE), I-76 and I-70 (eastern CO).
- Impacts: Difficult crosswind control, especially on open prairie segments and bridge decks.
- Driver strategy: Reduce speed, increase following distance, and avoid operating empty box trailers in the windiest corridors when possible. Park in sheltered areas and use extreme caution with any heat sources given dry fuels.
Upper Midwest and Great Lakes (late today–tonight)
Expectation: A band of rain spreads across MN/WI/MI late today and into IL/IN/OH overnight. Roads turn wet with reduced visibility; rain reaches NY/PA on Monday.
- Key routes: I-94/I-90 (MN/WI), I-94/I-96/I-75 (MI), I-80/I-90 (IN/OH), then I-90/I-81 (NY/PA Monday).
- Impacts: Longer braking distances on wet pavement and occasional spray-induced visibility loss.
- Driver strategy: Check wipers/defoggers, increase following distance, and plan for slower travel through peak rain windows this evening and tonight.
Safety Tip of the Day
Wind plus weight matters: if you must cross windy terrain with an empty or light trailer, lower your speed, increase your lane margin, and time crossings to avoid peak gust periods. When in doubt, wait it out—delaying an hour can be safer and faster than fighting the wind.
Sources: National Weather Service, Weather Prediction Center, local NWS forecast offices, and The Weather Channel.
This weather briefing was prepared exclusively for truckstopinsider.com.
