Wright County residents are bracing for a winter challenge as the Highway Department rushes to prepare for a storm with a concoction of snow and freezing rain hitting the area this afternoon. According to a message from the Wright County Highway Department, drivers can expect a tricky commute with the potential for both rain and snow impacting road conditions. Superintendent Nate Helgeson has stated that his plow drivers are ready for the diverse scenarios, equipped to treat icy pavements and plow snowy streets.
Helgeson expressed his concern about the immediate hours, highlighting the unpredictability of the coming weather. "We are right on the line of where the storm is a wintry mix of ice and rain and some areas where it’s all snow," Helgeson said in a statement obtained by Wright County officials. The weather forecast suggests a significant difference in the impact from one location to another. While Cokato anticipates two inches of snow blended with a slab of freezing rain, others like Otsego and Monticello could see up to six inches of snow.
The winter effects are expected to roll into the county post-noon today and persist until the early hours of Wednesday. Helgeson warned of the "100 percent chance of getting something by 3 p.m. – whether it’s snow or freezing rain." With the goal of restoring drivable roads by Wednesday morning, trucks will be operating non-stop, according to the announcement. The evening commute might be strenuous, but Helgeson assured that crews will be out through the night to secure safer travel conditions for the morning rush.
Wright County travelers are advised to be aware when departing later this afternoon, taking special care to keep a distance and provide necessary space for the plow drivers to operate safely. As the county stands in the crosshairs of an erratic winter tempest, its Highway Department remains vigilant, prepping to face off against nature’s capricious whims.
