Kentucky Road Crews Treat Roads For Snow

In anticipation of what is expected to be mostly a dusting of snow for Kentucky’s 12 westernmost counties, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews in District 1 will be pre-treating along area highways today.

Motorists should be alert for slow-moving trucks on the road spraying brine on bridges, overpasses, and other potential trouble spots throughout the day.  For many of the counties this will be the first opportunity for accumulating snow this winter.

The brine dries to a fine powder coating of salt that sticks to the road surface and is available to be activated by falling snow in the early hours of a snow and ice event.  Pre-treating initially improves driving conditions, then makes it easier for crews to plow snow by keeping frozen precipitation from bonding to the driving surface.

While today’s sunshine has warmed pavement temperatures, the forecast includes the opportunity for localized heavy snow showers that could cause some accumulation on roadways.

According to the National Weather Service Paducah Office, snow showers are expected to develop across the region this afternoon and continue into the overnight hours tonight. While temperatures will initially be above freezing, some very isolated heavier bursts of snow may allow some light accumulations and possibly some travel difficulties. Our current forecast is for spotty snowfall amounts up to a half an inch through tonight.  For an updated NWS forecast, go to https://www.facebook.com/NWSPaducah.

The KYTC District 1 Snow & Ice Team will continue to monitor changing conditions through the evening hours.  Area highway crews will have trucks fueled and ready to roll out should snow create accumulations that go beyond the current forecast.

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead, monitor area media outlests for forecast updates, and be aware of localized weather conditions.

Updates as appropriate.

To get traffic advisories and alerts via email go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYTC/signup/13651 and click on counties in Kentucky you regularly drive through or on any of the specialty corridors you travel.  Be sure to check your SPAM filtering to assure Gov Delivery is on your approved list.

Timely traffic advisories for the 12 counties of KYTC Highway District 1 are available by going to www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.

Navigate traffic at goky.ky.gov, at waze.com, or with the WAZE App.