winter weather Know Snow

Finalists revealed in ADOT’s Name-A-Snowplow Contest

Finalists revealed in ADOT’s Name-A-Snowplow Contest

Finalists revealed in ADOT’s Name-A-Snowplow Contest

February 8, 2024

Arizonans can vote on their favorite snowplow names through Feb. 15

PHOENIX – Three new names will soon be placed on some of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplows after Arizonans submitted about 3,400 entries last month in ADOT’s second Name-A-Snowplow Contest.

Starting today, the public can go to azdot.gov/NameAPlow to vote for their favorite names. The three names that receive the most votes will be crowned the winners and placed on the driver’s side of snowplow cabs. Voting is open through Thursday, Feb. 15.

The 10 finalists are:

Blizzard Buster
Cinder Claus
Fast and Flurryous
Flake 48
Mogollon Monster
Plower Express
Scoopacabra
Scooperstition
Snowbi-Wan Kenobi
Squall-E

“Arizona drivers participating in this contest help highlight the important work our snowplow operators perform during each winter storm to help everyone get home safely,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said.“It’s fantastic that thousands of people came up with clever names, and I can’t wait to see the winners!”

Before and during winter storms, snowplow operators work around the clock to treat and clear the highways of ice and snow. Remember, if you encounter snowplows on highways:

Never attempt to pass a snowplow.
Stay at least four car-lengths behind snowplows and equipment. Plowed snow can create a cloud that reduces visibility.
Slow down and give the plow extra room.

Find more winter driving safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

ADOT prepares snowplows in advance of season’s winter weather

ADOT prepares snowplows in advance of season’s winter weather

ADOT prepares snowplows in advance of season’s winter weather

November 1, 2023

Dump trucks during the summer; now outfitted as plows for snow, ice

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation’s statewide fleet of snowplows is ready to roll wherever and whenever needed now that crews have completed the annual process of equipping the vehicles with what’s needed to clear snow and ice from state highways.

Many of ADOT’s 200 snowplow vehicles are used for other important work, primarily as dump trucks, during our warmer weather. By late summer, crews begin to install the large plow blades and other equipment so those trucks are once again prepared as large, powerful snowplows.

Systems that measure and spread deicing agents on highways also are installed each year in the beds and on the backs of snowplows.

ADOT also held winter planning meetings in Flagstaff in early October that included hands-on training and classroom sessions for employees who will be available as snowplow operators in the coming months. Each year, ADOT has approximately 400 employees who are trained and approved to work as snowplow operators.

ADOT reminds drivers to also prepare for traveling in winter conditions, if necessary. Helpful safety information is available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow. ADOT also provides highway conditions all year via ADOT’s 511 Travel Information site, the AZ511 app or by calling 511. Highway information and answers are also available via ADOT’s X (formerly Twitter) feed (@ArizonaDOT) and the agency’s Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT).

During a busy 2022-23 winter season, ADOT snowplows logged more than 1.25 million miles clearing snow and ice from the state’s highways. The figure was 605,000 miles during the 2021-22 winter season. The agency’s snowplow operators logged more than 66,000 hours working to remove snow and ice as safely and quickly as possible from state highways last winter.

Snowplow is readied for winter - deicing equipment (ADOT file photo Oct '23)

Drivers should prepare for high country snow this week

Drivers should prepare for high country snow this week

Drivers should prepare for high country snow this week

February 13, 2023

Consider delaying travel, slow down if driving in winter conditions

PHOENIX – As Arizona’s high country prepares for snow this week, drivers should focus on safe driving – including slowing down, if they are traveling on highways where winter weather is creating potentially hazardous conditions.

That’s the safety message from the Arizona Department of Transportation as storms are expected to create snow packed and icy conditions on a number of highways. Drivers should avoid traveling in winter weather and consider delaying trips until after storms have passed and conditions have improved.

Drivers in lower-elevation locations should plan for possible rain and wet roadways and be prepared to slow down and leave more following distance behind other vehicles.

Safer conditions will exist in upper elevation areas once ADOT’s team of snowplow operators has time to clear snow and ice from highways. Here are additional winter and wet weather safety recommendations:

Stay up to date on weather and highway conditions: In addition to following National Weather Service forecasts (weather.gov/fgz/WinterWeather), drivers can visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511 for highway conditions.
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”).
Tire Chains: Drivers also should anticipate that, depending on the severity of winter storm conditions, chains and/or four-wheel drive vehicle capability are likely to be recommended on some highways impacted by snow or ice.

ADOT and law enforcement agencies again remind travelers not to stop next to highways, including I-17, US 180, SR 87, SR 260, to play in the snow. Doing so is unsafe. People should instead go to established snow play areas. Parking along highway shoulders for snow play is not allowed, since that can block areas that emergency response vehicles may need to use.

Drivers also can look for messages on ADOT’s statewide network of electronic signs. ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) also provide information and answers about highway conditions.

ADOT’s high country advisory: ‘Know Snow’ for winter driving

ADOT’s high country advisory: ‘Know Snow’ for winter driving

ADOT’s high country advisory: ‘Know Snow’ for winter driving

December 7, 2022

PHOENIX – With winter storms occurring in northern Arizona this month and more anticipated in the coming months, the Arizona Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to be prepared if traveling on state highways that could be affected by snow and ice.

ADOT crews continue to maintain and operate the agency’s statewide fleet of 200 snowplows in areas where they are needed, especially on busier high country roadways like I-17 and I-40.

It’s also important for drivers to equip themselves and their vehicles for winter driving conditions.

ADOT offers safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow. Drivers should be prepared to slow down on potentially slippery highways, while also leaving extra room behind the vehicle ahead. Other recommendations include having a fully charged cellphone and packing emergency prep items such as additional warm clothing, blankets, food and water and first aid kit. 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.

Before traveling, research weather conditions to determine whether it would be better to wait for the storm to pass so ADOT’s nearly 200 snowplows can clear the highways. Check road conditions by calling 511 or visiting az511.gov. ADOT’s Twitter account (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) provide real-time information and interaction.

Last year, ADOT began partnering with the National Weather Service to create graphics that use its color codes for storm severity to better inform drivers of what to expect from winter storms. Orange is a moderate-impact storm, red is a high-impact storm and purple is an extreme-impact storm. These graphics are used on ADOT’s social media pages.

While ADOT’s snowplow operators are ready to help you, you should help them in return. Always respect the plow. Avoid passing a snowplow that’s clearing a highway until the driver pulls over to let traffic pass, and never assume a snowplow operator knows your vehicle is nearby. If you can’t see the plow driver, there’s a good chance the driver can’t see you.

Remember: The safest place on a highway when it’s snowing is trailing a safe distance behind a snowplow.

Reminder: for winter driving safety tips visit azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

ADOT launches Name-A-Snowplow contest

ADOT launches Name-A-Snowplow contest

ADOT launches Name-A-Snowplow contest

October 3, 2022

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has 200 snowplows and is calling on the public to give names to some of them.

Wait, there are snowplows in Arizona?

You better believe it – Arizona’s high country receives a tremendous amount of snowfall and Flagstaff is one of the snowiest cities in the country – and it’s past time to properly recognize the vitally important, high-use heavy machinery. ADOT snowplows clear snowfall from highways during and after winter storms, lay down de-icer and are even put to work during the spring, summer and fall to push mud, boulders and debris off highways after rainstorms.

"When snowstorms hit and most Arizonans are safe and warm at home, our snowplows and their operators are out playing a critical role for roadway safety,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. "Snowplows are giant, imposing pieces of equipment and we want the public to play a role in naming them so they can feel a stronger connection to the snowplow and operator. Our hope is that this increased personal connection will lead Arizona drivers to give snowplows plenty of room, respect passing distances and practice safe driving in winter conditions. We invite kids, adults and everyone in between to send us their creative, fun snowplow names!"

Here’s how ADOT’s Name-A-Snowplow contest works:

Brainstorm clever, creative snowplow names with family, friends, colleagues or classmates and submit them at azdot.gov/NameAPlow through Oct. 13. Send us as many names as you like. You have the option to include your name and email address so we can contact you if your snowplow name is a winner.
ADOT will review the submitted names and in late October will reveal 10-15 finalists. The public will then vote for their favorite snowplow names.
The three snowplow names that receive the most public votes will be immortalized for eternity – or the life of the vehicle, whichever comes first – with a decal on the driver side of the snowplow cab.

Looking for inspiration? Plowy McPlowFace, Emperor Plowpatine, Ctrl Salt Delete and The Big Leplowski are some of the names that have been given to snowplows in other states. Fair warning: ADOT is looking for new names and not names that have been used by others.

Snowplow names can be submitted at azdot.gov/NameAPlow Oct. 4-13.

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