A winter storm watch remains in effect through Monday, Jan. 6, and crews from the Logan County Engineer’s Office are already preparing for the challenging weather conditions expected over the next few days.
Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman reported that preparations began in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, during a snow event that blanketed the area and prompted a Level 1 snow emergency Friday morning.
“We started calling people in at about 2:30 a.m., and crews were probably on the roads by 4:00 a.m.,” he said. “We will be dealing with similar cold temperatures, and the (pre-treatment) will help to melt snow and ice at lower temperatures.”
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a winter storm watch from Sunday morning through Monday, with snow accumulations of between four and eight inches throughout the region. These conditions could make travel very difficult, especially as the Monday morning commute approaches.
Still, Coleman is cautiously optimistic about the storm’s track.
“It looks like the rain/ice mix will go south of us, and we may be on the northern edge of the snow, based on the model I saw,” he said. “Weather.com is predicting around 2-4 inches of snow from Sunday through Monday, which should be very treatable. Fingers crossed that it tracks further south, but we are prepared for anything.
“We should be able to get some snow melt with the 26-degree temperature, as long as we don’t get any ice,” he added.
The National Weather Service advises residents to slow down and use caution while traveling. Potentially hazardous roads are expected, and outdoor surfaces may be icy. Those planning to travel should also check road conditions at ohgo.com for the latest updates.
As always, the Logan County Engineer’s Office encourages residents to be prepared and stay safe, Coleman emphasized.