DOT Treats Roads Ahead of Winter Storm

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 BLOWING ROCK, NC — DOT crews in the mountains are already treating the roads.

“It has been way too warm for January, very unusual,” said Blowing Rock resident Micki Hartley.  Hartley has lived in Blowing Rock for the past 30 years and says the recent January thaw has been a nice break, but she’s ready for a return to wintry weather.  “It’s what you expect when you come to the mountains in January,” Hartley continued.  “You want cold, you want snow, you want it to feel like a winter in the mountains.”

Micki is in luck.  The winds are changing direction, making conditions perfect for snow and sleet over the next couple of days.  The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the high country, which includes Blowing Rock and Boone.  Although no widespread heavy snow is expected, the combination of snow, sleet and rain will freeze on any untreated roadways as temperatures drop.

“It will take that slush and turn it into a glaze of ice, and there is nothing you can do.  You know, you just have to go really slow and take it easy,” added Hartley.

With the exception of potentially dangerous road conditions, many locals and area ski resorts are pumped up for Old Man Winter to return.  Dallas resident Glenn Dellinger spent the day skiing at Appalachian Ski Mountain with his two daughters.  He says the conditions were fantastic and the thought of snow just in time for the weekend will be great for skiers and local businesses.

“Oh yeah, I mean, I think it’s going to bring a lot of people out, because, I mean, people love it,” said Dellinger.

And for skiers headed to the high country this weekend, crews put down salt brine Thursday and have their trucks ready to go once that wintry mix starts.