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MnDOT staying flexible before winter storm

The treatment plan is different depending on whether the storm will bring snow, ice or rain.

ST PAUL, Minn. — The conversation surrounding this upcoming winter storm might be focused on ice and freezing rain. But as always, MnDOT said it is prepared for a multitude of conditions.

The good news about the storm is that temperatures are a little higher.

"Typically in January, I feel like we're colder, so we always deal with below freezing temperatures," MnDOT spokesperson Anne Meyer said. "Our temps are still in a range where it might help us out, and our materials will work better in those conditions."

The bad news is that the system is a little hard to nail down.

"Will it be rain will it be ice, will it be snow?" Meyer said. "Those factors are still working out as the storm works in, and each factor is a bit different in what we can do. So lots of eyes on what's happening with the weather and that changing factor so that we can be ready for whatever happens Tuesday into Wednesday."

If you're wondering where are the pre-treating trucks now? Meyer said they typically wait until closer to the action.

"If we get more rain out of this situation, we won't be able to pretreat as much as we want just because it will wash away," Meyer said. "We are going to pretreat in the overnight hours, we get a better bang for our buck when we do it right before that storm starts, so we have a few hours to get ahead of the game. If this storm stays-- like we hope it does, just snow--that's easier to deal with."

Facing fickle weather with flexibility, will be the name of the game come Tuesday.

"Really planning ahead, look at that route, before you get on the road, and if you can stay home, that might even help you out on Tuesday just because how bad conditions may be out there," Meyer added.

A friendly reminder to leave room for snow plows on the roads. While it is not illegal to pass them, Meyer said it is safest behind the plows as the side wings of the plow may be difficult to see depending on conditions. 

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