AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Transportation crews are preparing for possible snow over the weekend.

Possible snow comes to the area less than a week after a winter weather event blanketed northern parts of the CSRA over the weekend.

A winter storm watch has been issued for most of the CSRA from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

In Georgia

The Georgia Department of Transportation says it’s actively responding to changing conditions and monitoring impacts statewide.

The forecasts have changed enough that resources may need to shift.

“Georgians are urged to remain apprised of local conditions and not assume roads are clear in their area,” the agency said. “Snow can accumulate quickly, even on treated and previously plowed roads.”

Crews are actively plowing roads in north and northeast Georgia as snow continues to fall and accumulate on interstates and state routes.

In other regions like ours, crews are closely monitoring weather conditions and roadway temperatures and are prepared to begin plowing operations as conditions warrant.

Georgia Department of Transportation crews and contractors started applying brine to roadways in our region on Friday at 7 a.m.

Brine is a solution of salt and water used to decrease the probability of freezing under certain conditions.

Crews and contractors made good progress and by 6 p.m. Friday, they’d treated about 85% of planned routes.

Georgia DOT crews treated all lanes of Interstate 20 and Interstate 520/Bobby Jones Expressway.

“We’re accomplishing more than we expected we would accomplish just in terms of lane miles covered on I-20 and I-520,” GDOT spokesman Will Volk said.

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1. Georgia has roughly 570 snow removal units, including 439 plows/spreaders/dump trucks and 130 heavy-duty pickups equipped with plows and spreaders, ready to operate continuously.

The original plan called for only treating the outside lanes. But because of additional resources, crews were able to treat all lanes.

Brine operations are expected to continue until about midnight, with complete treatment expected for all critical and high-priority routes before the weather system’s arrival.

“It’s been a lot trying to deal with three winter weather threats back-to-back to back,” Volk said. “But we’re working to strategically move stuff around the state. We got extra salt and brine from other parts that probably will not get impacted by this winter weather.”

Based on current forecasts, GDOT anticipates switching to salt and plow operations on Saturday morning.

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Volk says your best bet is to stay home this weekend.

“Please, if you have nowhere to be, unless it’s really important, stay off the roads. That will really help our crews out especially, because if you wreck your vehicle and you block the road, we can’t plow the road,” Volk said.

“We see crashes on a sunny day. Now we’re going to throw in some snow, some icy conditions, like it’s going to be slippery and people aren’t used to driving in that kind of stuff around here. ... I wouldn’t want to be out there,” he said.

“Just enjoy the snow, make some snow angels, stay off the road.”

Once plowing begins, Georgia DOT crews will continue plowing during the storm and after snowfall ends.

Due to the nature of this storm — including large, fluffy snowflakes combined with extremely low temperatures— accumulation is expected to continue even after routes have been treated and plowed.

Drivers should not expect roadways to remain clear during the heaviest snowfall, even after plows have passed.

In South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Transportation crews are preparing for an incoming winter storm by deploying salt trucks and equipment across major roadways.

SCDOT has 3,000 employees working through the storm along with 1,200 pieces of equipment ready for deployment. Crews are focusing first on major roads like interstates.

“We will be basically deploying every piece of equipment that we can put out to use, we will be putting it out on the roadways,” an SCDOT spokesperson said.

Since last weekend’s storm, crews have restocked and checked equipment to make the brine needed for roadways. The salt being used can be tasted in the air as crews handle scoop after scoop and load truck after truck.

“This is not the first rodeo for these operators in terms of being out and being out in winter weather. These folks are professionals and been able to go through this before,” the SCDOT spokesperson said.

SCDOT is asking drivers to prepare by fueling up and checking their tires. Some drivers are already taking precautions.

“Just gassing up the truck and these tanks for the generator at home,” said a driver. “We’re prepared to not go anywhere for the next few days.”

Once the storm hits, SCDOT is asking drivers to be patient as crews work to clear roadways.

“It will take us some time to clear the roadways to get South Carolina moving again,” the spokesperson said.

SCDOT is asking drivers to give crews space as they will be treating the roads around the clock.

Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell described what’s dangerous about this winter storm.

“I think the bigger concern we had last week was the concern of trees and debris falling on roadways, so we made preparations for that,” Powell said. “With this being more of a snow event, I think it is more about getting the accumulation of the roads — that’ll be the biggest challenge.”

The department recommends preparing an emergency kit for your car if you are doing any traveling.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is also actively monitoring the weather system.

Officials with the agency are coordinating with the State Emergency Response Team, the National Weather Service and local emergency managers to track the system and share timely updates and guidance on potential impacts across South Carolina.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay informed and take steps now to prepare for winter weather.

Officials recommend:

• Monitor official forecasts and alerts from the National Weather Service and trusted local media. Know the difference between winter weather alerts:
• Avoid unnecessary travel. Roads may become slick quickly, especially on bridges and overpasses. If travel is unavoidable, ensure your vehicle is winter-ready by checking tires, fluids and the battery, and carry extra blankets, food and water in case of delays. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies only.
• Protect your home from freezing temperatures. Insulate exposed pipes, open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate and consider letting faucets drip overnight to help prevent frozen or burst pipes.
• Check on neighbors and loved ones, especially older adults, people with disabilities and those who may need additional assistance.
• Bring pets indoors and ensure livestock have access to shelter, unfrozen water and adequate food.

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