"Tumbleweed Invasion: Utah and Nevada Residents Battle Unprecedented Tumbleweed Onslaught"

Severe weather in Western states has caused a massive influx of tumbleweeds, with wind gusts over 60 mph destroying infrastructure, downing trees and power lines, and causing widespread outages and road closures. Residents armed with brooms and shovels in Utah and Nevada are battling the spiky invaders, while city officials are rolling in with special equipment to clear the weeds. The windy weather, linked to a storm system that brought heavy snow to California, has also caused power outages and flight disruptions, with gusts topping 100 mph in some areas. The tumbleweed, native to dry regions in Europe and central Asia, arrived in North America about 150 years ago and poses risks such as traffic issues, allergens, and wildfire spread.