City Of Peoria Urges Winter Weather Planning

Press release from the City of Peoria:

It’s slick and slushy out there, but don’t let today’s warmer temps deceive you. Starting early afternoon on Wednesday, December 30, slight snow could return and temperatures could drop again once more. The real threat is forecast for New Year’s Eve. A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected overnight Thursday night into Friday morning before changing over to rain during mid to late Friday, New Year’s Day morning. Some light snow accumulations under one inch (1”) and ice accumulations around a tenth of an inch are possible.

Drivers Take Heed!
These everchanging road conditions along with the freeze and thaw cycle can impact road conditions. City of Peoria Public Works Snow Fighters will be out and motorists should read and review the following recommendations for how to share the road with this cumbersome equipment.

Tips to get you reconditioned to drive in the snow around our Snow Fighters and their fierce plows:
1. Don’t follow a snow plow closely or stop immediately behind it.
2. Drivers should keep 200 feet distance between their vehicle and a plow during winter weather events.
3. Never pass a snow plow on the right.
4. Remember: snow plows move slowly, make wide turns, make frequent stops and overlap lanes.
5. Snow plows can create snow clouds which can reduce visibility to zero and conceal other vehicles and hazards.
6. Snow plows are large complex machinery that require the driver’s full attention toward operation, and can restrict the operator’s vision. Remember if you can’t see them, they can’t see you.
7. Finally: the road behind an active snow plow is safer to drive on. Stay a safe distance behind it and use caution when passing.

Many more resources, including our 2020-2021 snow route maps are available on our Public Works Winter Weather Planning page at: peoriagov.org/public-works/winter/.

December 29, 2020 | 4 p.m.

The city of Peoria Snow Fighters initiated around the clock operations today – working two 12 hour shifts in anticipation of the week’s forecasted inclement weather. Leading up to today, crews prepared snow equipment and pretreated the 157 miles of main arterial streets with liquid brine. The team will remain on the streets around the clock until Peoria gets a break in weather.

Based on the current forecast, Public Works is anticipating one to three (1 to 3”) inches of snow today, freezing rain and sleet tonight and then rain tomorrow, Wednesday, December 30. The Department will constantly monitor for freeze backs during the overnight hours to alleviate any possible trouble for travelers tomorrow as they begin their day.

Remember to be safe, drive slowly, travel with caution and leave a little earlier for your destination.

December 16, 2020 | 2 p.m.

The city of Peoria is experiencing the first significant snowfall for the season, although it is forecast to be a minor accumulation. The Public Works Operations Division is expecting to receive about a quarter of an inch of snow as it comes to an end this morning. The City’s Snow Fighters have a limited number of trucks on the streets today – treating hills, overpasses and streets surrounding the two major hospitals in the downtown area.

In addition, consider the following if travelling this morning:

1. Leave a little earlier to get to your destination.
2. Have patience and drive slowly.
3. Looks can be deceiving. There are some areas of pavement that are slicker than others.

And remember, all motorists need to recondition themselves into driving in snow once again. Stay safe and drive with caution.

This press release was produced by the City of Peoria. The views expressed here are the author’s own.