BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) – Preparations have begun for the snowstorm expected to hit northeast Wisconsin this weekend.

The people at the Brown County Highway Department spent Friday making sure their equipment is ready to go for when the flakes begin to fly. They’ll also send out some of their trucks to pre-treat the roads with brine.

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“That helps when the snow comes down preventing it from welding to the pavement as traffic is driving on it,” said Brown County Highway Department operations manager Mike Piacenti. “It makes it easier for us to get it up at the end of the storm.”

Piacenti said that they have about 44 trucks out at any given time when they have a snowstorm like the one expected for Saturday. He said right now the drivers are on standby waiting for the call to come into work once it begins to snow.

“We finally have a storm that we get to plow instead of just salt,” he said. “I think the guys are looking forward to pushing some snow instead of just going out there and dropping salt.”

While Piacenti’s team mans the big plows, people all over Northeast Wisconsin will likely have to do some snow removal of their own this weekend. For many, that means a trip to the hardware store to grab a new shovel or salt for their driveways.

“Either they need a new shovel because it wasn’t very good or because it’s broken,” said Katy Martin, the owner of Martin Hardware in Green Bay. “And then everybody needs salt.”

Martin added that in the days leading up to a snowstorm, they see extra customers come in for snow removal equipment. They also offer snowblower repairs which people utilize ahead of snowstorms.

However, it’s not all hard work during a snowstorm. Local park department officials say they look forward to snow falls because of the winter recreation opportunities.

The Brown County Parks Department’s cross-country skiing and snowshoeing have been opened trails this week, but they’re not in great condition, which is why they’re looking forward to snow, especially in a winter that hasn’t had much.

“Just getting snow for tomorrow is a good sign for things to come,” said Jason Petrella, the program and natural resources manager for the Brown County Parks Department.

Petrella said that significant snow could dramatically improve the trail quality. His staff spent Friday clearing debris from the trails and will spend Saturday grooming the trails even as it snows.

“We would prefer if people maybe stayed off until we’re done, it just gives that snow time to firm up that base,” said Petrella. “If you ski too soon you can ruin the base.”

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He said that those wanting to cross country ski should come on Sunday after the snowstorm. Brown County offers snowshoe rentals at Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve and snowshoe, cross country skiing, and fat tire bike rentals for the trails near the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park.

Petrella reminds people to buy a trail pass before they head out. That money helps the county maintain the trails and offer equipment rentals.

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