States Extend Plow, Salt Operations as Weekend Storm Leaves Hazardous Road Conditions
Key Highlights
- State and local transportation agencies extended snow and ice operations into Monday following heavy weekend snowfall.
- Hazardous road conditions persist due to refreezing pavement, snowpack and limited salt supplies in some regions.
- An incoming Arctic cold front could further complicate cleanup efforts and prolong slippery travel conditions.
States across the eastern United States continuing plow and salt operations through Monday following a weekend winter storm that delivered more than two feet of snow in parts of the country.
Many states kept travel restrictions in place as snow removal efforts remained ongoing and refreezing conditions posed continued hazards for motorists.
As the storm moved east into New England, transportation agencies across the region continued digging out throughout Monday.
In Massachusetts, plows were operating around the clock after parts of the state received up to 22 inches of snow, with snowpack continuing to make travel hazardous, according to CBS News. A winter storm warning that had been in effect through Monday evening was lifted early as severe snowfall was no longer expected, WBZ News Radio reported. State officials said more than 3,000 pieces of equipment were available to support snow removal operations.
Transportation officials in Maine warned residents that snow operations could be temporarily paused in areas with heavy accumulation to ensure the safety of crews and equipment, according to Q106.5. In neighboring New Hampshire, a spokesperson for the state Department of Safety told MyKeeneNow that while interstates and primary routes were in relatively good condition, many secondary and local roads remained dangerous.
In Connecticut, the town of East Hartford implemented an on-street parking ban through Tuesday at 8 a.m. to support ongoing snow removal efforts, according to a news release. The city’s public works department also cautioned residents that salt application could be more limited than usual due to regional salt supply shortages affecting municipalities across New England.
Snow and ice control operations from Sunday continued into Monday in several states that experienced peak snowfall over the weekend. An incoming Arctic freeze is expected to follow the storm, potentially prolonging slick road conditions later this week.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) reported that 1,220 crews were deployed statewide as of 4:02 a.m. Monday, working to widen lanes and treat pavement as temperatures dropped, according to WKYC. Portions of the state received up to 13 inches of snow on Sunday.
In Arlington, Va., plow and salt operations remained active Monday, with dozens of plows continuing to clear roadways, according to the city’s live snow removal map.
Plows also stayed on the roads throughout Monday in New York City, according to a live map from the city’s Department of Sanitation, which showed large portions of city streets plowed within the previous hour as of 2:30 pm Monday. The NYC Mayor’s Office announced Saturday that 2,200 plows and 700 salt spreaders would be deployed citywide once snowfall reached 2 inches.
Sources: CBS News, WBZ News Radio, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Q106.5, MyKeeneNow, Town of East Hartford, CT, WKYC, Arlington County Virginia, PlowNYC, NYC Mayor's Office