PHOENIX
‒ Whether yours is a white Christmas or a wet Christmas, the Arizona Department
of Transportation will make you a deal:
With
rain and snow in the forecast, ADOT will be ready to respond before, during and
after to whatever the weather may bring.
In
return, you should study weather and highway conditions before your trip, leave
prepared and drive with patience ‒ or delay travel if conditions warrant.
The
latest National Weather Service forecast for Arizona’s high country calls for
between 6 and 12 inches of snow at elevations between 6,000 and 8,000 feet
beginning late Saturday morning and continuing into Saturday evening. Windblown
snow is expected to create hazardous driving conditions in areas.
For
lower elevations, the latest forecast calls for rain and gusting wind during
the same period.
ADOT
has nearly 200 snowplows and 400 certified snowplow operators ready to clear
highways around the state, but if snowfall is heavy and widespread it may take
some time for them to reach every stretch.
You
hold the keys to safety if your route may have snow and ice. These are just
some of the winter-driving tips available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.
-
Slow
down: Adjust your speed to conditions.
-
Create
space: Leave extra room between your vehicle and the one in
front of you. Avoid sudden braking.
-
Give
snowplows room: Slow down and stay at least four vehicle lengths
behind a plow. Wait for a plow to pull over before passing, and remember:
The safest place to be when there’s snow and ice on a road is behind a
plow.
-
Leave
prepared: Bring extra clothing and gloves, make sure your tank
is half to three-quarters full at all times, keep your cellphone charged
and pack extra drinking water, snacks and all necessary medications.
-
Pack an
emergency kit: It should include blankets, a flashlight, an ice
scraper, a small shovel, a container of sand or cat litter for traction
and warning lights or reflectors.
-
Beware
of black ice: Melting snow can turn into ice, especially at night.
Ice tends to form on bridges first and can be difficult to see.
-
Consider
waiting it out: Highways can close suddenly in severe weather due to
accumulating snow and ice or due to crashes. If conditions warrant,
delaying travel may be the safest decision.
Many
of these tips apply to driving on wet roads as well, including waiting out
threatening weather if need be. Here are some others:
- Inspect
windshield wipers and replace them if necessary.
- Turn on
headlights while driving.
- Avoid
areas where water is pooling in travel lanes.
Wherever
your travels take you this holiday weekend, you can get the latest highway
conditions by calling 511 or visiting the Arizona Traveler Information site (az511.gov), where traffic and weather cameras
allow you to see current conditions around the state. ADOT’s Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT) and Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) accounts are excellent
sources of information and interaction.
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