KYTC crews are preparing for the winter season

As the region prepares for an extended cold snap this weekend, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews in the Commonwealth's 12 westernmost counties have been prepping for snow and ice season since October.

Snow season runs from November 1 to April 1 each year.  Highway crews have to be fully prepared for snowfall – big or small – all winter long. 

Motorists may have seen plows making test runs down area highways.  The runs help drivers become familiar with their assigned routes, take note of various hazards, and check out turnaround locations.

In addition, crews facilitated safety checks on trucks, plows, and salt distribution equipment to assure they are ready to roll anytime snow and ice may create hazardous driving conditions.

Over the last two weeks, salt storage domes were topped off to ensure crews have a full supply for the start of winter weather.

This year, crews will utilize a new overflow salt dome just off westbound Interstate-24 at the I-24/I-69 Exit 25 interchange near Calvert City for any additional salt needs. The new facility adds 10,000 tons of long-term storage for the winter weather season.

Western Kentucky gets an average of about 10 inches of snow per season. In most years, those events come in three to four events of about two to three inches each.  However, in some years, major snowfall events of six inches or more can create significant travel issues for the region.