Morning snowfall impacting commutes across Mid-Michigan

MASON, Mich. (WILX) – Friday morning’s snow may impact your drive to work or school, so make sure you give yourself extra time before your commute.

Icy roads can be a major concern in January, and while salt is the most popular way to get rid of the slick streets, it’s not always the best option. Officials with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said salt helps break up the ice when temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees. But if it drops below 20 degrees, it takes a lot longer for salt to kick in and can make roads even more likely to freeze back over.

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Once the temperature drops below 10 degrees, some crews opt to use sand. Road crews told News 10 they have made changes to be more efficient with their salt use.

“As we like to say, the ice and snow, take it slow,” said MDOT Communications Representative Caitlyn French. “So, even if salt is not effective or we’re at a temperature where it’s not, be mindful of that and adjust your speed accordingly.”

Numerous crews are out throughout the Mid-Michigan area, according to MDOT’s tracker map, trying to make roads less slick as you head out the door Friday morning.

As the snowplows and trucks make their way out to roads in Mid-Michigan, these road conditions will change.

It is important to make sure you are following the rules of the road even more closely.

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