PHOENIX – As the holiday travel season continues, drivers should be prepared for slick conditions on the state’s highways, as winter storms bring rain and snow to Arizona over the next several days. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to avoid traveling during any severe winter storm conditions. Motorists should stay up to date on forecasts from the National Weather Service and plan their travel accordingly.

Periods of snow and rain are forecast across the state into the New Year’s weekend. Drivers in lower elevations should plan for possible rain and wet roadways at times over the next several days. 

Safer conditions will exist in the state’s high country once ADOT snowplow crews have a chance to clear snow and ice from highways impacted by any winter storms. Here are some winter and wet weather safety recommendations:

Slow down and leave extra room: Adjust your speed to conditions. Slowing down and leaving space between your vehicle and vehicles ahead of you on icy or wet roads can prevent crashes or keep your vehicle from skidding when conditions are slippery.

Leave prepared: Dress for cold weather if traveling into the high country. Bring extra clothes and gloves as part of an emergency prep kit in case you need to stop along a highway. Be sure your cellphone is charged and pack extra drinking water, food and prescription medications (in case you encounter delays).

Other items for an emergency kit: Blankets, flashlight, ice scraper, small shovel, container with sand or kitty litter for tire traction if your vehicle is stuck in icy conditions. ADOT has a complete list of items at azdot.gov/KnowSnow (look for “Must haves for every vehicle”).

Stay up to date: In addition to following National Weather Service forecasts, drivers can visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511 for highway conditions. Pay attention to messages on ADOT’s network of electronic signs. ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) also provide information and answers about highway conditions. 

To assist travelers this winter, ADOT has partnered with the National Weather Service to create color-coded graphics of forecast storm severity. ADOT uses these graphics on its social media accounts to help drivers know the anticipated intensity of a snowstorm and make informed decisions about traveling. 

PHOENIX – It’s that time of year where the Arizona Department of Transportation is closing five state highways for the winter.

In the White Mountains area, State Route 473 from SR 260 on the White Mountain Apache Reservation to Hawley Lake is scheduled to close on Friday, Nov. 18. State Route 261 from State Route 260 near Eagar to Big Lake and State Route 273 from SR 260 to Sunrise Park and Big Lake are scheduled to close Friday, Dec. 30.

These dates are subject to change if the White Mountains area is impacted by snowfall.

State Route 67, leading to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, is scheduled to close along with park facilities on Thursday, Dec. 1.

ADOT closes these scenic roadways annually as part of the agency’s winter shutdown schedule due to the significant amounts of snowfall these parts of the state typically receive.

When traveling this year, please remember to do the following:

• Make sure all occupants in a vehicle are buckled in.
• Check tire pressure, fluids and more to make sure a vehicle is in proper running condition.
• Be patient, including not following other vehicles too closely and building in extra travel time.
• Get enough sleep before the trip.
• Bring extra water and food.
• Never drink and drive.
• Check for information about highway restrictions and more by visiting az511.gov, calling 511 or following ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).

Mt. Humpfreeze. Flake Forty-Eight. Shovelin’ Sunshine.

These names or others could soon adorn some of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplows.They are three of the nearly 4,700 names that Arizonans submitted in ADOT’s Name–A-Snowplow contest this month and are among the 15 finalists.

Beginning today, the public can go to azdot.go/NameAPlow and vote for their favorite names. The three names that receive the most votes will be the winners and placed on the driver’s side of the cab of three snowplows in ADOT’s fleet of 200. Voting is open through Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The 15 finalists are:

• Alice Scooper
• Blizzard of AZ
• Chilly Pepper
• De-Ice, Ice Baby
• Flake Forty-Eight
• Frost Responder
• Mt. Humpfreeze
• Prickly Plow
• Optimus Brine
• Snokopelli
• Snowguaro
• Snowcotillo
• Shovelin’ Sunshine
• The Plowdalorian
• Yavapai Yeti

“We’re thrilled that so many Arizonans embraced the challenge to come up with great names for our snowplows,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Naming the snowplows humanizes the huge effort our drivers and their plows undertake each winter. We want to keep them and you safe. Parts of our state have already received dustings of snow, and it won’t be long before these vital vehicles are put to use, clearing highways and making travel safer for everyone.”

ADOT has 200 snowplows and nearly 500 trained snowplow operators stationed at highway maintenance yards across the state, ready to deploy when snowflakes fall. Arizona’s high country can receive a tremendous amount of snowfall – Flagstaff, in fact, is one of the snowiest cities in the country. These snowplows and their skilled operators play major roles in clearing highways during and after winter storms, laying down de-icer prior to storms and are even put to work during the spring, summer and fall to push mud, boulders and debris off highways after rain storms.

To vote in the contest, visit azdot.go/NameAPlow.

PHOENIX – When winter storms come through Arizona, major interstates like I-40 and I-17 are affected, impacting thousands of cars and trucks traveling on the highways. Fortunately, the Arizona Department of Transportation has a plan to help keep primary routes like interstates open during winter storms.

ADOT has a prioritization plan for plowing state highways in areas where it snows. Heavily-traveled roads like interstates that carry local and cross-country traffic come first. ADOT will have many of its 200 snowplows stationed at various points along interstates and other heavily-traveled highways when the snow begins to fall.

State routes with lower traffic volumes are considered secondary routes as not as many vehicles use these roads. Once the interstates are cleared, ADOT snowplow operators will take care of these local state highways.  

ADOT will also close certain state highways as part of its plan to deal with winter weather. SR 67 leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, state routes 261, 273 and 473 in the White Mountains area, and SR 366 heading up Mount Graham in southern Arizona all close for the winter. 

ADOT closes these state highways because of the heavy amount of snow they receive, and places like the North Rim close for the winter anyway. Closing these highways allows ADOT to keep its snowplows focused on interstates and other state highways. Crews return to these highways in the spring to plow them and get them ready for reopening.

ADOT has its plan for dealing with winter weather in Arizona, and we want drivers to have a plan as well. That plan includes leaving prepared before heading to the snow. 

Check az511.gov before you leave to check road conditions. Wait out the storm if possible giving ADOT’s snowplows time to clear the highways of snow and ice. Also, take a fully charged cell phone, warm clothing and an emergency kit that includes blankets, food and water, medication and sand or kitty litter.

Check your vehicle before heading out in winter weather, making sure – at a minimum – that the tires, heater and windshield wipers are in good shape. 

Get more information and tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

PHOENIX – With the winter months rapidly approaching, the Arizona Department of Transportation will close State Route 473 in the White Mountains area and State Route 366, also known as Swift Trail, heading up Mount Graham in southern Arizona for the winter on Monday. Nov. 16.

State Route 67 leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will close on Dec. 1, while other White Mountains area highways such as state route 261 and 273 will close by Dec. 31. These highways could close sooner depending on the weather.

ADOT closes these highways annually as part of the agency’s winter shutdown schedule due to significant amounts of snowfall these regions typically receive.

ADOT reminds motorists heading into snow country to drive with caution and follow this advice:

• Don’t let GPS and navigation apps replace common sense. When a highway is closed, a suggested alternate route involving an unpaved, unplowed road can lead you into danger.
• Pack an emergency kit, a fully charged mobile device, extra clothing, blankets, water and snacks.
• Slow down. Drive defensively. Be patient and allow additional time for your trip. Never pass a snowplow.
• Leave sufficient space between your vehicle and those ahead of you. Give yourself plenty of room and time to stop or to avoid hazards.
• Make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel.
• Check weather and road conditions before you travel. Let someone know your route.
• Bring a small bag of sand (or cat litter) for wheel traction.

Additional information on winter driving is available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

PHOENIX – With springtime and warmer weather here, two White Mountains-area state highways reopened Wednesday, April 15, after being closed for the winter, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

State Route 261 runs from State Route 260 near Eagar to Big Lake, while State Route 273 goes from SR 260 to Sunrise Park and Big Lake.

State Route 473, running south from SR 260 on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, remains closed with Hawley Lake and the surrounding area closed to recreational use for the time being.

Another highway that closes for the winter, State Route 67, leading to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, is scheduled to reopen with park facilities in mid-May.

PHOENIX – Because of the incoming winter storm, the Arizona Department of Transportation is closing State Route 67 to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

During the winter, ADOT closes and doesn’t clear snow from SR 67, a 43-mile highway between US 89A at Jacob Lake and the park, since North Rim visitor accommodations are shut down. After closing on Dec. 1 – or earlier when weather warrants, as in this case – SR 67 reopens each spring, usually around mid-May.

US 89A remains open during the winter, as do the Grand Canyon National Park facilities at the South Rim.

Meanwhile, State Route 473 leading from State Route 260 to lakes in the White Mountains will close for the winter Wednesday, Nov. 27, due to the incoming storm. State routes 261 and 273, also in the White Mountains, are scheduled to close no later than Dec. 31.

ADOT reminds motorists heading into snow country to drive with caution and follow this advice:

• Don’t let GPS and navigation apps replace common sense. When a highway is closed, a suggested alternate route involving an unpaved, unplowed road can lead you into danger.
• Pack an emergency kit, a fully charged cellphone, extra clothing, blankets, water and snacks.
• Slow down. Drive defensively. Be patient and allow additional time for your trip. Never pass a snowplow.
• Leave sufficient space between your vehicle and those ahead of you. Give yourself plenty of room and time to stop or to avoid hazards.
• Make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel.
• Check weather and road conditions before you travel. Let someone know your route.
• Bring a small bag of sand (or cat litter) for wheel traction.

Additional information on winter driving is available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Before heading out, be sure to call 511 or visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov for the latest highway conditions. The website features camera images along state highways that give drivers a glimpse of weather conditions in various regions. ADOT’s Twitter account (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) provide real-time information and interaction. And the free ADOT Alerts app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information, including alternate routes, should snow and ice close a major highway.