TxDOT maintenance crews in Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cooke, Montague, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger and Young counties began 12-hour shifts overnight and early this morning. But while we pre-treated our major roads, bridges and overpasses with salt water yesterday, this morning’s rain washed away much of the protective benefits. Yesterday’s de-icing agent pretreatment may have been swept off the streets. Motorists should slow down during any weather event and drive towards the conditions. Allow more time to get to your destination and proceed with extreme caution.
As of 10am today, snow is falling only in parts of the district. Vernon, Electra, Seymour and Wichita Falls all have snow on the ground. Archer City and Throckmorton will experience snow very soon. Graham, Gainesville, Henrietta, Bowie, Muenster and Nocona received rain only. The crews are treating the snow accumulation with brine, salt and sand. Plows are also used to clear highways.
Tonight and tomorrow morning the journey will get worse. Bridges and overpasses will be the first to freeze and the last to thaw. Standing water in dips, intersections and streets with gutters within the city limits is expected to freeze overnight and create a layer of ice on the sidewalk.
Drivers are advised to follow these precautions:
Reduce your speed.
Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions.
Do not use cruise control.
