GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY-A powerful lake-effect snow squall created dangerous driving conditions across Grand Traverse County, where 9&10 News was invited inside the cab of a county snowplow for a ride-along as crews worked to keep roads passable.
“This one — yeah, it was bad,” said Jason “Chef” Sipple, a Grand Traverse County plow driver. “That’s probably the worst lake squall I’ve seen in a couple of years. It definitely was coming down pretty good.”
Chef said conditions can change rapidly during squalls, turning clear pavement into slick roads within minutes as wind and blowing snow intensify.
“All of a sudden, that wind picked up and the snow started,” Chef said. “You go from great roads to this slide. There was an hour or so in there where it got a little squirrely for sure.”
On days like that, Chef said the safest option may be to avoid travel altogether.
“On days like this, sometimes the safest thing you can do is stay off the roads,” he said. “If it’s really bad, pull over for a couple of minutes. If it’s those kinds of gusts, it could injure the truck driver or somebody else. It’s better to be on the safe side.”
For those who do head out, visibility is critical.
“The smart ones right now are keeping the emergency flashers on so you can see them,” he said. “With these strong gusts, you’ll lose them. Most people have their headlights on today. That definitely helps us to be able to see them a little easier.”
That advice applies not only to drivers but also to pedestrians navigating snowy roadways.
“One of my pet peeves is a lot of people that walk do not wear reflective clothing or something that you can be seen in,” Chef said. “It’s just dark clothing, which can be pretty dangerous. A lot of times you’ll see their footprints before you see them.”
Chef also reminded motorists to stay at least 200 feet back from snowplows, saying tailgating is one of the leading causes of winter crashes.
“When it’s a little icy like this, sometimes we have to make some sudden movements,” he said. “We do have cameras, but during storms they get snow covered. I can’t really see out the back, and you do actually have a blind spot directly behind you.”
That distance is especially important at intersections, where plows may need to stop suddenly and make multiple passes to keep snow from piling up.
During major storms, crews prioritize main roads and highways to keep traffic moving, sometimes delaying service to neighborhoods until conditions improve.
“When it’s like this, you have to keep the mains open,” Chef said. “You can’t get into your subdivisions for a while. When you do, they get a little deep sometimes, but we really try to poke a hole in them so cars can get in and out.”
Chef urged residents to adjust their travel plans during winter weather.
“When it’s like this, leave 25 to 30 minutes earlier if you have to,” he said. “You don’t know what you’re going to come across.”
To avoid creating additional slush, crews limit where they apply salt, focusing on intersections and high-risk areas.
“With these temps, it’ll refreeze,” Chef said. “Then you pretty much set yourself up for disaster.”
Despite the pressure of keeping roads clear during rapidly changing conditions, Chef said teamwork helps crews respond when storms intensify.
“If you’re running behind, you just call out,” he said. “We have a lot of great guys here. Someone will give you a helping hand for sure.”