Drivers face first wintry mix today
Caution urged during the morning commute; roads may be icy, slick.
A predicted wintry DAYTON — mix is expected to affect drivers for the first time this season during their morning commutes today, which highlights the need for crews to prepare for treating roads and drivers to prepare for colder weather.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the entire Miami Valley through noon today. Storm Center 7 Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs said where rain mixes in, the chance for an icy glaze is possible through the morning, causing the roads to be slick.
“Drivers should use caution since a mix of winter precipitation
continued from A1 is expected to impact the roads at times,” Vrydaghs said. “Temperatures by late morning will climb and transition back to rain with scattered showers during the day. Snow showers are possible towards evening with the chance for light accumulation. Highs for the day peak in the upper 30s.”
Matt Bruning, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation, said crews are starting the season with salt ready to treat the roads when inclement weather hits.
“We have 610,000 tons of salt ready to go in our salt barns and we are well stocked for the winter,” Bruning said. “Storms like what is predicted for (today) are challenging because when we pre-treat the roadways, the rain falls and washes the treatment off, so we have to stay up with the storm and treat the roads as the snow and ice falls.
“This type of storm with the rain we like to call a ‘salt eater.’ ”
Bruning said ODOT is alerting drivers to get an early start to their destination when the winter weather moves in in order to allow plenty of time to navigate tough driving conditions and to also check the agency’s travel portal at odot. com in order to get road conditions.
AAA’s Emergency Roadside Service Team is also preparing for cold-weather emergency calls. Last winter, AAA’s Roadside Rescue team assisted nearly 113,000 stranded members in Ohio.
Kara Hitchens, AAA senior specialist for public and government affairs, said it is recommended that motorists have their cars checked out for winter driving, as preventative maintenance can help avoid more costly and inconvenient repairs later in the season.
Jon Bucher, manager at the AAA Tire and Auto Center in Beavercreek, said motorists need to make sure their tires, battery, brakes and coolant are checked to help get them ready to drive in bad weather.
“People should make sure that they also have a good safety kit packed in their car with water, food for them and their pet if they travel with one,” Bucher said.
Vrydaghs said the weather heading into the weekend will continue to be a wintry mix, especially on Friday when temperatures will be below freezing. Temperatures by late morning will climb and transition back to rain with scattered showers during the day. Snow showers are possible toward evening with the chance for light accumulation. Highs for the day peak in the upper 30s.
“Saturday temperatures could climb to the upper 20s with sunshine and scattered clouds as highs reach in the low 40s,” she said. “There could be a few light showers or flurries by nighttime. Early Sunday, a few passing flurries will be expected with highs reaching the upper 30s.” Contact this reporter at 937225-0586 or email Wayne. Baker@coxinc.com.