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Jed Boal Reporting With all of this wetness and cool temperatures, it was bound to happen. The snow, so far, has stayed safely in the mountains. But road crews across the state are ready for long nights in the plows. Some plows are already out dropping salt, even plowing up in Parley's Canyon and the Cottonwood Canyons. Road crews are getting their first taste of this early winter weather.
It is not a sight we often see in the valleys in October, at least not in recent years -- snow plows loading up with salt. Tonight could be the first of many long snowy nights.
Wade Laycock, UDOT Maintenance Station Supervisor: “You know I've been doing this for 18 years and I still get an adrenaline rush when the phone rings, it's fun."
The plows have been ready for weeks, but still...
Wade Laycock: “This is pretty early in the season for measurable snow.”
Evening clouds were menacing, dropping more snow in the mountains and rain in the valley. A microburst at Point of the Mountain got trucks rolling around seven.
Wade Laycock: “Expecting temperatures to get down to 32 on the point, possibly 34 in the valley. Right around freezing, so we'll get some salt down to hold us off ‘til morning."
A pair of trucks tackled that job, more are ready whenever the call comes. Canyons should be clear for skiers headed up to Brighton for opening day tomorrow. But remember to take it easy on the roads, the first snowy drive of the season always causes problems.
