Wright County braces for a changing storm system set to hit later today and continue through Saturday. The Highway Department is gearing up for whatever comes their way, but it's the fierce winds, not the snow, that they're most concerned about. Nate Helgeson, the Wright County Highway Maintenance Superintendent, said that the predictions for snow have been varying greatly as the area of impact continues to shift, according to Wright County official news.
As per the latest updates, the wind will be the county's main adversary with sustained speeds reaching 15 to 20 miles per hour from this afternoon through until Monday morning which means it doesn't matter whether the county gets a dusting or a couple of inches, because the wind is going to complicate things regardless of snow accumulation. Helgeson detailed that their efforts will focus primarily on scraping road surfaces clear of accumulating or drifting snow, especially in open areas prone to the whims of the blustery conditions.
Temperatures are expected to plummet, with frigid air rendering road chemicals ineffective. The Highway Department has consequently opted against their use, as the cold weather causes these treatments to attract snow, creating more problems than they solve. Despite the challenges posed by the weather conditions, Helgeson assured locals that plow teams will work diligently until about 11 a.m. and, if necessary, continue overnight to ensure roads are navigable by Saturday morning as the snow starts to settle but the winds pick up the intensity, creating a daunting scenario for travelers and plow crews alike.
