Road crews gearing up for another winter storm in Maryland
BALTIMORE - Winter weather is expected to blanket portions of Maryland overnight.
Many living in the Baltimore area could see up to 6 inches of snow by Saturday morning.
State highway crews have taken action to pre-treat roadways with salt brine ahead of the snow coating.
[Maryland Weather: Winter Storm Warning issued as snow is expected overnight into Saturday morning]
The incoming winter weather is putting the spotlight on those preparing our pathways across the region.
"We are now in winter operations mode," said Shantee Felix, from the State Highway Administration.
State Highway Administration crews along with several local municipalities began to salt brine roadways on Thursday, with hundreds of pieces of equipment ready to respond.
Their work will stretch beyond the passing snowfall on Saturday morning.
"People will wake up and see a bit of a winter wonderland and they're likely to see our equipment out on the roads also," Felix said.
Meanwhile, Baltimore-area landscaping companies are gearing up for a long morning of work.
"You've got to prepare the same each year and it's a lot for us, but it's a blessing to have three storms and to have them condensed into the first part of the year," said Andrew D'Ambrosio, Vice President of Vin's Total Care Landscaping LLC.
Snow is good for business, especially after back-to-back years of having little to no snow.
"No snow last year," D'Ambrosio said. "Two years snow came the first week of the year, and it's like, 'OK, here we go,' and then nothing for the rest of it. To have these storms back-to-back is more than a blessing. It's almost essential to these companies."
Ahead of the storm, salt is loaded into the trucks, Bobcats were made ready to go and the plows were inspected to make sure they are road-ready.
D'Ambrosio, the owner of a landscaping company, says he's preparing for a snowstorm long before snowflakes start falling.
"We've got all of the office getting everything, getting the routes ready, doing all of the strategic work," D'Ambrosio said. "We're out here getting the plow trucks ready, everything greased up and oiled, machines delivered to accounts to be there ready to go."
The snow removal crews had the day off to rest up before a long day of work.
"We're going to be working our butts off no matter what, so trying to get ahead of that and get them some rest is important," D'Ambrosio said.
As the storm system moves in, all eyes are on the radar map.
"We're on the line," D'Ambrosio said. "We're right there in the path. It could be an ice storm, it could be snow, you never know. We've got to be ready for everything."
Driving conditions could deteriorate, especially during the overnight hours, which will reduce visibility and cause slippery spots.
"I'm not planning to travel anywhere because once I had a bad experience driving in snow so, just want to stay safer," said Baltimore County resident Shubham Maheshwari.
"If it comes, it comes," Baltimore County resident Roseanne Ullrich said. "I work tomorrow and I'll still go in."
If you have to be behind the wheel during the next round of winter weather, the SHA urges drivers to take their time.
"Please keep in mind, speed limits are for ideal weather conditions," Felix said. "So, you'll want to slow down, maybe 10 mph, when there's snow on the ground."
If you must be out driving during the overnight hours into the morning, give snowplow drivers extra space to treat and clear the roadways.
