Salt & Plows: MnDOT Crews Prepare For 1st Snow Of Season

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- MnDOT says it's ready for Friday's snow -- it just hopes the same holds true for drivers.

The transportation department has actually been gearing up for the first snowfall since last spring.

"We started purchasing salt as early as May," said Kevin Gutknecht, the MnDOT director of communications. "Work has been taking place on the trucks...they've been working all year long."

The first flakes of the season are coming a bit early this year.

Related: Twin Cities Brace For Slushy Friday Commute

The Twin Cities hasn't had snow this week of October since 2009.

"I wouldn't say this is unusual but I wouldn't say it's usual either," Gutknecht said.

The snow comes just weeks after MNDOT wrapped up a few snow plow operator training sessions at Camp Ripley.

The program, in its 14th year, has trained more than 1,700 operators.

Gutknecht says crews won't be pretreating roads ahead of Friday's flakes because the temperatures are mild.

"The pavement is still pretty warm," he said. "We're not gonna have ice form when moisture hits it."

Gutknecht says the most important thing is for drivers to get into a winter mentality.

He warns that any amount of moisture on the roads could cause traffic and accidents.

Minnesota Residents Prep For First Taste Of Winter