The weather outside could be frightful…so send us your winter storm pictures

The state is bracing for a winter storm expected to hit early Monday morning. But you already know that if you’ve been to local grocery stores, liquor stores, or places like Lowe’s or Costco.

Before we go into more detail, if you’re stuck at home or caught in storm-related traffic, consider sending us your storm photos (including cute pets buried in 8-10 inches of snow). We do ask that you limit your submission to one or two photos so you don’t take down our servers. Send them to [email protected]

DelDOT tells us they have 300 pieces of snow removal equipment to take on nearly 14,000 lane miles of road in the state.

Initial efforts will be focused on clearing primary roads such as I-95, Route 1, Route 13, and Route 113. The objective is to keep primary roads passable, and drivers are advised to adapt their driving to the road conditions and avoid driving during the storm if possible. DelDOT cannot estimate when specific roads will be plowed as conditions will dictate plowing operations.

Once primary roads are in passable condition, plow crews will move to secondary roads, such as Route 9, Route 24, and Route 71, and then to local roads. DelDOT does not plow subdivisions with privately maintained streets or subdivisions within the Snow Removal Reimbursement Program.

DelDOT is brining roads in Sussex County today (Sunday), and Routes 1 and 13 will be brined in Kent County from the New Castle County line to Dover. New Castle County roads were brined on Friday; no additional brining is necessary. DelDOT staff will be reporting ahead of the storm’s start to make additional preparations for the storm’s arrival.

Lots of winter storm resources are out there

The department has several resources available to monitor road conditions in real time. The DelDOT interactive map, available on the deldot.gov website, and the DelDOT app provide resources such as 230 traffic cameras and the snowplow tracker that will be active throughout the storm event.

The “Frequently Asked Questions“ webpage also provides additional information related to snow removal operations.

Downed trees and wires can be reported to the Transportation Management Center by calling (302) 659-4060 or #77 on cellphones.

DelDOT will post updates on Facebook, NextDoor, and X social media platforms throughout the storm event. They’ll also update publications like ours. WDEL SnoWatch is a good place to check school, business, and event closings, but you probably have your own favorite.

DART suggests checking back at DartFirstState.com for any service disruptions/updates or downloading the free DART Transit app for real-time bus information.  DART riders can also subscribe to Rider Alerts and DART news at Delaware Notification Service (find DART under DelDOT).

Now on to the advice…

First of all, you could ask a friend from places like Buffalo, N.Y., or other Snow Belt areas. None of that advice will include speeding up when driving so you can get there faster, but it will include staying home if you’re not used to this because we don’t want to share the roads with you. We’ll also tell you to check road and weather conditions before you leave and don’t look at your phone when driving.

AAA Mid-Atlantic is urging drivers to be prepared for winter weather driving conditions and to remain cautious if out on the roads.

“AAA encourages drivers to know before they go. Stay on top of the latest forecasts and delay travel if you can if winter weather will be impacting your route,” says AAA Mid-Atlantic Spokesperson Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Don’t just wait out the storm, wait until the roads have been cleared before setting out.”

AAA Mid-Atlantic offered the following tips for driving in snowy and icy conditions:

• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in winter conditions, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate.
• Check road and weather conditions. Before you leave, assess the conditions of roads along your route. The Delaware Department of Transportation’s travel advisories website is a good source for this, which provides travelers with reliable, current traffic information and weather-related traffic conditions. Also, consider loading a good weather app with live radar functionality to keep updated on storm track.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on ice- and snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, and turning – give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down well in advance for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Manage a skid. If you lose traction and begin to spin or skid on snow or ice, don’t slam on the brakes. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, until your tires regain traction.
• Increase your following distance to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Think like a Scout and Be Prepared for a winter storm

No one ever plans to get stuck, but it can happen to anyone. It was three years ago this week that a powerful, fast-moving storm dumped snow on the I-95 corridor in Virginia. Several tractor trailers collided in the ice and snow, blocking the interstate, resulting in an 18-hour shutdown of the highway.

Drivers and passengers spent hours trapped in their cars along a 50-mile stretch of the interstate with the temps dropping below freezing overnight. “Those who had well-stocked emergency kits, including water and non-perishable snacks, along with blankets and coats, were in better shape than those who weren’t prepared,” says Tidwell.

AAA Mid-Atlantic recommendations for winter emergency kit items to keep in your vehicle

• Cellular phone pre-programmed with emergency numbers; charger and extra battery
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Winter coat, hat and gloves or mittens
• Pack of hand warmers
• Bag of abrasive materials such as sand, salt or cat litter for gaining traction in snow/ice
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Snow shovel
• Flashlight
• Jumper cables or battery jump start pack
• Warning flares/lights or triangles
• Food and water for human passengers and any pets traveling along
• First aid kit
• Small tool kit and roll of duct tape
• AAA membership card or number if you need to call for roadside assistance

AAA Mid-Atlantic tips to prepare vehicles for winter storms:

• Check all lights (headlights, tail and brake lights, turn signals) are working properly so you can see and be seen in bad weather conditions.
• Ensure your tires have good tread for adequate traction and are properly inflated. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tires can lose 1 pound of air pressure.
• Have the battery checked by a professional to ensure it is strong enough to face cold weather. When the air temperature is 32 degrees, a battery’s starting power drops 35% and at 0 degrees outside, battery starting power in 60% lower than normal. Also, the average lifespan of a car battery is 3-5 years. AAA members can request a visit from a AAA mobile battery service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary.
• Keep your gas tank at least half-full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• Ensure that windshield wiper blades are in good condition and the wiper fluid reservoir is full. A winter blend of wiper fluid that resists freezing is recommended.