The City of Duluth is preparing for the return of its trademark winter weather. After several comparatively mild seasons, forecasters say snowfall is back on track to resemble the harsher winters the region is known for. As shared on the City of Duluth, MN Government's Facebook page, Duluth residents can expect "anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of lake effect snow thru tonight." The city also warns its denizens of slippery conditions, as "roads are slick in spots due to new snow collecting on compacted snow."
City officials have been proactive in their response, giving insight into their winter strategy. Addressing concerns about alleys and gravel roads not being cleared to the usual standards, the City of Duluth's post explains the high-blading approach: "This high-blading is intentional to protect the blades from tearing up the surfaces before the ground is fully frozen solid." This operational detail acknowledges the delicate balance between immediate action and foresight in municipal planning, considering the damage premature plowing can do in these early winter days.
The City of Duluth has deployed a few trucks on each side of town to work on Priority 1 streets until 2:00 AM, and a full staff of plows is scheduled to take over from that time, focusing on clearing Priority 1 and Priority 2 streets. Residents must do their part as well: a reminder goes out to move vehicles to the even side of the street to facilitate the smooth operation of snow plows through the more challenging narrow lanes. Officials said that illegally parked vehicles continue to hinder snowplows on the city’s narrow streets, underscoring the importance of adhering to the changeover parking schedule.
