Snow, ice call for vigilance on roads
By Jenna Wilson
Drivers are being cautioned to take extra safety precautions while traveling as winter weather rolls in.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is monitoring roadway conditions this week as a Winter Weather Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service.
Snowfall, which started early Monday morning in St. Joseph, is expected to continue into Tuesday morning and could cause challenges for those who must travel.
“Our weather forecasts are saying it could be 6, 8 or even 10 inches of snow depending on how far north you go up toward Iowa,” said Greg Bolon, Northwest MoDOT District traffic engineer. “If the temperatures stay moderate, the snow may try to melt a little, but then again, we’re expecting as much as an inch an hour and if we start getting that kind of snow accumulation, the ground’s not going to be all melt at all.”
Road crews are gearing up their snowplows and salt spreaders in preparation for Tuesday’s weather and said drivers should be aware that many parts of the road that may not appear dangerous could still be covered in ice.
“Never underestimate how the road may look,” Bolon said. “Even though you see snow, a lot of times you’re going to have a little thin layer of ice on the pavement if you break through that snow, so be real careful when you’re going around curbs and when you’re trying to stop.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said collision rates do increase during the winter months, and anyone who plans on being on the roads Tuesday or during snow events should take extra safety precautions.
“If you do have to go to work (Tuesday), wake up early and allow yourself plenty of time to clean your vehicle off properly and arrive to your destination in a safe manner,” said Sgt. Shane Hux with Troop H of the MSHP. “If you do happen to slide off the road, stay inside your vehicle because if you slid off the road, chances are, someone else sliding off the road in that location is just as great, which could lead to a bad injury if you happened to exit your vehicle.”
Officials said the best advice they can offer for the expected snow is to stay indoors.
