The Arizona Department of Transportation has completed the task of outfitting its snowplows with equipment to clear snow and ice from state highways. It has approximately 200 vehicles prepared for snowplowing in anticipation of the upcoming winter season.

In the 2022-2023 winter season, ADOT said its operators worked more than 66,000 hours clearing snow and that its snowplows cleared snow and ice for more than 1.25 million miles. This was almost double what the snowplows logged during the 2021-2022 winter season, which was 605,000 miles.

Brian Klimowski, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, mentioned that snow in the Flagstaff area is expected to arrive at least a week or two from now and is a possibility in mid-November.

“It is not unusual at all. Our first snow often comes during mid-November,” Klimowski said.

Klimowski said Flagstaff may see a wetter than normal winter due to the current El Niño, but it is uncertain at the moment.

ADOT said it has about 400 employees who are trained and approved to work as snowplow operators. In early October, ADOT met with employees in Flagstaff who are available to work as snowplow operators in the coming months. They held winter planning meetings, which included hands-on training and classroom sessions.

During the offseason, the snowplows primarily function as dump trucks. However, as late summer approaches, the crews equip these vehicles with large plow blades to prepare for snow removal. ADOT also installs systems in the beds and backs of the snowplows to measure and distribute de-icing agents on the highways every year.

For information on highway conditions, drivers can call 511, visit the AZ511 app or view highway conditions all year on ADOT’S 511 Travel information site.

Tips for driving in winter weather

The National Weather Service recommends avoiding driving during a snowstorm but said to be prepared if you must. Before leaving the house, it says you should:

• Let someone know where you are going and what route you will take. If something happens, this person will know where to start a search.
• Make sure you have a fully charged mobile phone, a car charger and an emergency supplies kit in your car including food, water and other necessities.

If your car does get stuck during a storm, The National Weather Service recommends you:

• Stay in the vehicle!
  • If you leave your vehicle, you will become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.
  • Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
  • While running the motor, open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Clear snow from the exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning.
• Be visible to rescuers.
  • Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine.
  • Tie a bright-colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door.
  • After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

Keeping your vehicle winter safe

The National Weather Service recommended residents “winterize” their vehicle, pack an emergency supply kit and avoid all nonessential travel during the high-impact winter storm periods.

Some tips from the Arizona Department of Transportation include keeping an adequate distance from any snowplows, driving slow with slow accelerations, planning and checking routes ahead of driving and making sure your vehicle is properly prepared for snow.

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ADOT has released what it recommends as a “must-have” winter vehicle supply kit, which includes:

• Cellphone and charger
• Water
• Winter clothing/blankets
• Prescribed medication
• First-aid kit
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Ice scraper
• A small bag of sand or cat litter for wheel traction
• Compact shovel for snow removal
• Travel tool kit and battery cables
• Safety flares
• Nonperishable snacks
• Road map