winter weather

Blogs/News articles tagged as winter weather

March 19, 2025 | News/Press Release
Arizonans cast 14,000 votes, choose six names for snowplows
Arizonans have chosen six names for ADOT’s snowplows in the third Name-A-Snowplow Contest. After counting more than 14,000 votes, the winning snowplow names are: CTRL + SALT + DELETE, Blizzard of Oz, Scoop Dog, Darth Blader, Plowasaurus Rex and Sleetwood Mac.
March 12, 2025 | News/Press Release
Drivers should be prepared and pack a winter travel kit
Snow and ice on the road can lead to slide-offs and crashes. Those who choose to travel anyway should leave prepared to spend extended time in winter weather. Packing an emergency kit is among ADOT’s safety recommendations you’ll find at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.
February 19, 2025 | News/Press Release
Arizonans can vote on their favorite snowplow names through Feb. 25
Six of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplows will soon be named. Through Feb. 25, the public can vote for their favorite names as part of ADOT’s third Name-A-Snowplow contest. More than 2,100 entries were received in January and whittled down to 15 finalists.
January 16, 2025 | Blog Articles
By Kelsey Mo / ADOT Communications

You’ve checked your car and it’s in great driving condition, you’ve planned your route, you’ve got your Spotify playlist queued up, and you’re ready to road trip to spend some time in the snow. 

But wait! There’s something else you need to do before you head out: Pack an emergency travel kit. 

While Arizona hasn’t had a lot of snow so far this winter season, temperatures in the high country do get chilly, and it’s always good to be prepared for the unexpected — especially if there are winter storms.

February 28, 2024 | News/Press Release
3 new names chosen after Arizonans cast 9,500 votes

PHOENIX – The results are in for the Arizona Department of Transportation’s second Name-A-Snowplow Contest and Arizonans have chosen some humorous and creative names. 

After tabulating more than 9,500 votes, the winning snowplow names are:

November 29, 2023 | News/Press Release
Immersive simulation helps operators train for ice, snow and other winter driving conditions

Each winter Arizonans count on snowplow operators to clear highways when snowstorms roll through Arizona’s high country. Operators of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 200 snowplows have been training since mid-September on snowplow simulators to prepare for the upcoming season. 

April 4, 2023 | News/Press Release
Miles and hours logged by drivers roughly double those of 2021-22

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation snowplow drivers have logged well over a million miles to clear state highways amid this winter season’s record-setting storms. 

The 1.2 million miles covered by ADOT’s fleet of some 200 snowplows is nearly twice as many as they drove during the 2021-22 winter season. ADOT’s trained snowplow operators have logged more than 66,000 hours – more than double the previous season’s total – working through the challenge of removing snow and ice as safely and as quickly as possible from highways impacted by winter storms.

March 23, 2023 | News/Press Release
Wet winter and early spring have created ideal conditions for potholes

The abundance of rain and snow this winter and early spring, which in many ways is welcome news following years of drought, has created ideal conditions for worn pavement and potholes. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation maintains more than 6,800 miles of state highways. This wet and icy winter season, including this week’s storms, created conditions that keep highway crews very busy keeping up with potholes, particularly in areas with snow. 

January 12, 2022 | Blog Articles
By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications

RWIS sites help ADOT crews learn about adverse weather conditions along perenially affected corridors. Learn more about them here!

November 16, 2021 | News/Press Release

PHOENIX – Cooler temperatures are around the corner and that means snow in Arizona’s high country. To help travelers this winter, the Arizona Department of Transportation has partnered with the National Weather Service to create graphics that use their color code for storm severity to better inform drivers of what to expect from winter storms.

November 16, 2021 | News/Press Release

Cooler temperatures are around the corner and that means snow in Arizona’s high country. To help travelers this winter, the Arizona Department of Transportation has partnered with the National Weather Service to create graphics that use their color code for storm severity to better inform drivers of what to expect from winter storms.

January 29, 2021 | News/Press Release

PHOENIX – A lot of snow has fallen in the high country over the last week and with more forecast, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers who are heading north to leave prepared, be ready to spend extended time on the roads and never park along the highways to play in the snow. 

ADOT reminds those heading to play in the snow that highway shoulders are for emergencies only and that parking on them to play in the snow is hazardous in a number of ways:

January 21, 2021 | News/Press Release

PHOENIX – With a pair of storms moving through Arizona’s high country this weekend and early next week, the Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to consider delaying all but essential travel before heading north.

January 19, 2021 | News/Press Release

PHOENIX – With snow falling in Arizona’s high country and more snow in the forecast, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers to be prepared before heading up north to play in the snow. 

November 30, 2020 | News/Press Release

 

ADOT to close state route SR 67 for the winter Tuesday
Annual closure of highway to Grand Canyon North Rim

 

PHOENIX – With the winter months rapidly approaching, the Arizona Department of Transportation will close State Route 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

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

November 17, 2020 | News/Press Release
Winter driving tips

PHOENIX — When snow begins to fall, trained Arizona Department of Transportation snowplow operators will work around the clock to keep the roads safe. Ever-evolving technology incorporated into the snowplows help give the operators a leg up during their 12-hour shifts.