Traverse City — Local road crews are preparing for a potential flash freeze expected overnight, a weather event officials say can be more dangerous than a typical winter storm.
Transportation officials said crews are closely monitoring conditions as meteorologists warn temperatures could drop rapidly, causing moisture on roadways to freeze quickly.
“A flash freeze is definitely different,” said Dan Watkins, manager of the Grand Traverse County Road Commission. “We would much rather be dealing with snow.”
Ice presents a greater challenge for road crews because standard road salt becomes less effective at lower temperatures, Watkins said.
Salt begins to lose effectiveness between 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit and performs even worse below that range, making it difficult to clear icy roads.
To prepare, crews have been mixing different materials to improve traction. Watkins said they use a combination of salt and sand in varying ratios, as well as calcium chloride, which helps activate salt and keep sand from bouncing off the roadway and into ditches.
“It can be really difficult,” Watkins said. “You’ve got to play around a little bit and see what’s going to work best for that particular storm.”
Preparations began earlier in the day, with materials staged and trucks ready to be loaded. Crews have moved to 24-hour operations, with workers monitoring roads around the clock, Watkins said.
Day crews work from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., while night crews cover 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., Watkins said. Additional crews can be called in as conditions worsen.
For residents dealing with ice at home, Watkins recommended standard ice melt products, noting their effectiveness may also be reduced in extremely cold temperatures.
When traveling during icy conditions, drivers are urged to slow down and give snowplows plenty of space. Plow trucks often move more slowly than normal traffic to ensure materials stick to the roadway.
“If we’re driving fast speeds, all that material is going to end up in the ditch,” Watkins said.
Drivers should remain at least 200 feet behind plow trucks while they are operating, Watkins said.
A general rule is that if a driver cannot see the plow truck’s mirrors, the operator cannot see them.
Crews emphasized patience and caution as they work to keep roads safe during the freeze.