Cold Front to Bring Snow to the Denver Metro Area
DENVER- A cold front is moving into the Denver Metro area bringing colder temperatures and snow to the Front Range. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has crews currently in place and ready to head out on the roads should the storm hit early. Crews will go on full snow shift at 10 p.m. The Denver Metro Area will have nearly 100 snow plows out on full snow shift throughout the night plowing the roads and dispersing solid de-icing product, as well as tankers dispersing liquid de-icing product to the roadways. Snow is anticipated to stop prior to the morning rush hour but motorists should anticipate icy roadways and drive with caution.
Crews will be applying a combination of liquid and solid de-icing and anti-icing products. The recent warm temperatures are likely to cause a fast drop in temperatures this evening, creating icy conditions on many roadways. Motorists are encouraged to drive according to conditions and to expect black ice conditions on roadways. Early morning commuters should allow for extra time when traveling.
Snow plow safety is an important part of winter driving. Motorists traveling behind snow plows should remain a minimum of five car lengths behind the plow. Snow plows have limited visibility and often cannot see vehicles traveling too closely behind them. When plows are removing snow and ice from the roadways, whiteout conditions can occur for vehicles traveling too close to the plow. Allow plows to work at a safe distance from vehicles and use extreme caution when passing snow plows. Snow plow operators are maintaining the roads for the safety of the traveling public and their main objective is to remove snow and ice from the roadways to ensure vehicles can arrive safely at their destinations.
During non-peak travel times, snow plows use a method of plowing known as echelon plowing. Once snow begins accumulating, crews will use this method along major roadways. Echelon plowing is when snow plows line up at an angle along the roadway and plow in a line. This method of plowing allows crews to remove maximum amounts of snow and ice from the roadway in an even fashion and in a shorter period of time. CDOT does not recommend passing the plows when this is occurring.
To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. Live road conditions are available at www.cotrip.org, downloading the CDOT Mobile app or by calling 511 from anywhere in the state. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.
