By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

If you follow ADOT's Facebook and Twitter accounts, and we hope you do, you're probably familiar with the name Mark Trennepohl after a snowstorm hit Arizona's high country on Saturday.

Mark, our statewide road weather manager, filed 15 video reports from Interstate 40 and Interstate 17 near Flagstaff, combining an on-the-ground view with his inimitable perspective on conditions and ADOT's efforts to keep highways open and protect travelers. A video, showing an ADOT TowPlow in action, was extremely popular with Facebook and Twitter followers.

His goal, which is also our goal in ADOT Communications when weather threatens: helping drivers make informed decisions on whether and when to travel. Here's another video in which Mark explains a significant traffic backup on northbound I-17 climbing out of the Verde Valley.

Views from our traffic cameras are always helpful, as you'll see in this Facebook post.

But there's a great deal happening beyond those views. That's why we're grateful to those working in the high country who took time to share photos and videos of weather, roadway and traffic conditions. That includes Thomas Eckler Jr. of our North Central District, who shared photos and a video of plows at work on SR 87, including those featured in this popular Facebook post.

Travelers benefited from photos including these shared by Mackenzie Kirby, a Flagstaff-based ADOT Communications staff member.

Mackenzie also shared photos and an ADOT Blog post explaining why travelers see white stripes on some highways before snowstorms.

There's a lot to be gained from visiting ADOT's Facebook and Twitter accounts early and often when snow and other threatening weather is in the forecast. Posts you'll find there show that communication is very much a team effort across ADOT's locations and divisions.

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications

While desert dwellers are still enjoying fairly balmy temps, ADOT crews in the high country know all too well that winter is right around the corner. That’s why they're readying snowplows and training snowplow drivers.

Earlier this year, 450 ADOT employees and snowplow operators attended an annual winter workshop in Phoenix. The training included instruction from industry experts and ADOT’s in-house experts on winter safety, environmental impacts, weather forecasts, policies, equipment and driving techniques.

Snowplow

With 375 snowplow operators ready to drive ADOT’s nearly 200 snowplows stationed all around the state, we will help keep the highways open and passable during winter storms this year.

With that said, it’s never a good idea to just go driving in the high country with snow in the forecast. Check ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information website (az511.gov) and ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) regularly during winter storms to get the latest in road conditions. If possible, you should delay your travel up north if there’s a snowstorm coming in.

One more pro tip: Always carry an emergency roadside kit in your vehicle. You never know when you might happen upon a crash or if the highway gets snowed in. Having warm blankets, food and water, a fully charged cellphone and extra clothing can come in very handy when you need it.

For more tips on driving in winter weather, visit our Know Snow page.

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

The photos above showing a snowblower in action don't exactly scream "spring has sprung," but that's exactly why this work is happening on State Route 67 north of the Grand Canyon.

A Fredonia-based ADOT maintenance crew is clearing snowdrifts – some as deep as 5 feet – from the closed highway a little early this year so it will dry out for crack-sealing before we open SR 67 for the season in mid-May.

When facilities at Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim are closed for the winter, ADOT closes the 40-plus-mile-long SR 67 south from Jacob Lake.

The North Rim averages 9½ feet of snow each winter. The amount of snow that falls in the area is why ADOT stations one of its two snowblowers there. The other is in the White Mountains near Sunrise Ski Park and Resort.

Arizona Snowstorm

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

ADOT crews have been working around the clock to keep highways open and motorists safe since these back-to-back storms began hitting Arizona's high country last week.

We've highlighted these efforts as well as the latest conditions through our main social media accounts: Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT). Here's a quick roundup of videos and images from the past few days ...

Our two TowPlows are clearing Interstate 40 between Flagstaff and Williams. This video of a TowPlow in action has been very popular on Facebook:

On assignment in Flagstaff, ADOT Public Information Officer Ryan Harding shared how our North Central District's snow desk helps gets plows where they are needed.

Videos and photos shared by field personnel have helped us share important safety messages, such as:

1. Don't park along highways to play in the snow.

2. Give our snowplows room to work.

When wicked weather hits, nothing beats having a network of traffic cameras showing conditions around the state. This video, one of many offered in the past few days, showed conditions Saturday beyond I-40 and I-17 near Flagstaff.

Our followers have been part of this effort as well. In addition to asking about traffic conditions, many of you have shared details and images (we make sure these were taken from the passenger seat before retweeting) that have helped us give everyone the information they need. One example:

Finally, many of you have shared praise for the ADOT personnel working tirelessly to keep highways open. We send them comments such as this one, and we thank everyone who's taken time to offer kind words.

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

Arizona highways look inviting when there's a plowed strip of pavement amid a blanket of snow (see the video above). ADOT has a fleet of nearly 200 snowplows and 400 certified snowplow drivers stationed around the state to get them that way.

But as Christmas weekend showed, especially on Interstate 40 from Flagstaff west to Ash Fork and on Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff, a snowstorm can be so intense that travel becomes unsafe quickly. This is why we urge drivers to monitor conditions before they leave and be prepared to delay travel until our plows can do their work. A few inches of snow fell per hour at the height of this storm, causing many vehicles to slide off and resulting in long closures (the photo at upper right is from I-40) because of the time required to get vehicles cleared and lanes open again.

Because snowstorms can result in sudden closures sometimes lasting for hours, we offer tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow that include packing an emergency kit with blankets, warm clothing, snacks and water, having a charged cellphone and keeping your gas tank half to three-quarters full at all times. But the safest option when significant snow is in the forecast is not being on road unless it's absolutely necessary.

In addition to watching National Weather Service forecasts for the area where you're planning to travel, be sure to check az511.gov or call 511 for the latest road conditions. ADOT's Twitter account (@ArizonaDOT) is a good source of information and interaction.

With another storm forecast for New Year's weekend, we hope recent experience reinforces the value of waiting out a big storm until roads are plowed and ready for traffic. If there's any question about whether it's safe to go, you'd probably do well not to.

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications

We understand the temptation, but the highway shoulder is NOT a safe place to pull over and play in the snow.

That may seem obvious, but it’s a common mistake people make when heading up north for a day of snow play. As we shared this week, parking along I-17, US 180 or another highway imperils you, your traveling companions, other motorists and first responders.

Among the hazards:

• Other drivers may be distracted by your vehicle.
• Other drivers may pull over as well to play in the snow, compounding the problem.
• Your vehicle may interfere with first responders who need to use the shoulder.
• As shown above, ADOT plows can throw snow and ice far off highways. You don’t want you or your kids hit by the wave from a snowplow. Trust us.

For safety, exit and re-enter highways from on- and off-ramps and other designated entrances. Then park in designated places.

We want your trip to the high country to be fun and memorable. That starts with how you prepare (see azdot.gov/KnowSnow for tips) and continues with where you park.

By Dallas Hammit / ADOT Deputy Director for Transportation

ADOT crews are ready for what’s ahead this winter. In fact, they prepare year round for the snow and ice. The agency has 400 commercially licensed snowplow drivers and nearly 200 snowplows in its fleet.

While the work those snowplow drivers do is vital for keeping our roads drivable and safe all season, the decisions everyone else makes on the road are equally important.

Please take a moment to review the safety tips below and be sure to share with family and friends.

• Slow Down and Leave Extra Room: Adjust your speed to conditions. Driving slower and leaving space between your vehicle and others when snow and ice are present can improve your ability to brake and prevent skids.
• Leave Prepared: Dress for cold weather, bring extra clothes and gloves, be sure your cellphone is charged, and pack food, water and necessary medications. Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition, starting with the battery, heater/defroster, wiper blades, wiper fluid and brakes.
• Pack an Emergency Kit: For starters, take blankets, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a container of sand for traction and hazard lights or reflectors in case your vehicle becomes disabled.Beware of Black Ice: Black ice tends to form at night when melting snow freezes and is especially common on bridges.
• Stay Up to Date: Visit ADOT’s Travel Information site at az511.gov or call 511 to get the latest highway conditions, and pay attention to messages on overhead boards. ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) is an excellent source of information and answers about highway conditions.

Please find more winter driving information, including videos, infographics and blog posts at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Editor's Note: More safety messages from Dallas Hammit, ADOT's state engineer, are available at Driving Safety Home on azdot.gov.