Brace yourselves, Wright County residents — a significant winter blitz is on the horizon, expected to deliver the heaviest snowfall since ghosts and goblins roamed the streets last Halloween. The Wright County Highway Department is gearing up for the weather wallop, predicted to hit the area this afternoon with 1-2 inches in the northern part, and 2-3 inches down south, according to a county advisory.
Nate Helgeson, the Highway Maintenance Superintendent, is warning that the storm's swift pace combined, with temps hovering in the mid-30s, will likely kick things off with rain before a nasty shift to freezing rain and sleet. "The primary concern will be the start and end of the fast-moving system," he cautioned, noting that road conditions are expected to worsen around dusk. What starts as a drizzle could very well turn into a slippery slide for homeward-bound commuters.
Helgeson's crews are at the ready, poised to work through the witching hours to ensure Thursday's morning rush isn't a total bust. The system, which had been projected to bypass the county, has since decided to make an unwelcome visit, with the National Weather Service issuing a Winter Weather Advisory effective this afternoon. Wright County has slid into the storm's path, necessitating swift action from road maintenance teams.
The tempest is predicted to cease its barrage by the stroke of midnight, giving highway crews enough time to treat and clear the arteries of Wright County before the sun peeks over the horizon. Despite the weather's best efforts to disrupt the daily grind, Helgeson assures that his team will "be out on the road overnight to make sure the roads are treated and cleared by the Thursday morning commute."
