Kingsbury Grade was a tad slushy at 8:20 p.m. Monday.
Monday started out with two spin-outs that resulted in one vehicle in a ditch near North Benjamin and Andrea off Kingsbury Grade. The day ended with a slushy snowstorm that resulted in a stuck commercial vehicle backing up traffic over the Grade.
Welcome to the beginning of winter driving weather in Western Nevada.
“The Nevada Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to prepare for driving during inclement weather,” state transportation officials said.
Starting tonight, National Weather Service forecasters in Reno are predicting a chance of precipitation over the next five days, with snow levels down to 5,700 feet on Friday.
Statewide, nearly 3,500 crashes occurred in inclement weather between Oct. 1, 2023, and April 30, including 11 fatal crashes.
“Many of the crashes were due to unsafe driving in snow, ice and other wet conditions, such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or failing to maintain a lane and overcorrecting,” according to the state. “Particularly in winter weather, motorists are reminded to drive slowly for conditions and leave space between their vehicle and others. Wearing a seat belt and focusing on the road are other important driving tips for any type of weather.”
The state has more than 80 snowplows and other pieces of equipment used to clear roads across the region, and has 30,000 cubic yards of salt and sand, to be used on winter roads for increased traction and safety.
The sand is combined with salt and wetted with brine to create more dense sand that keeps roads ice-free at lower temperatures and will not as easily bounce off roadway surfaces.
As storms move in, NDOT maintenance personnel closely monitor professional meteorological forecasts detailing wind, rain, snow, ice and other weather on state roads. Staff also use more than 50 Road Weather Information System meteorological stations located along northwestern Nevada roadways to provide detailed reports of current air and pavement temperature, as well as moisture.
During major winter storms, crews work in 12-hour shifts, rotating personnel to provide 24 hour-a-day snow removal.
Updated state road conditions, including winter road closures and incidents, are available by dialing “511” or logging on to nvroads.com before driving. Drivers can also view live traffic cameras and sign up for free traffic alerts for their state road commute.
