As December arrives in the Shenandoah Valley, most residents brace for winter's first flakes with equal parts nostalgia and dread. Yet for Ken Slack, communications specialist for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the "S-word" signals something far more serious: the start of long days, sleepless nights, and the full activation of a year-round effort to keep the region moving safely.

During this year's annual "Snow Show" on The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with Ken to uncover what really happens behind the scenes before, during, and after winter storms. The conversation reveals a complex system of planning, people, equipment, and science—all working together to protect the Shenandoah Valley's roads.

A Year-Round Operation: Preparing for Winter in July

Although most Virginians don't think about snow until the weather turns cold, VDOT never stops planning for winter. Ken explains that salt acquisition, equipment preparation, and contractor coordination happen "pretty much year-round." Because Mid-Atlantic states often pull from the same salt suppliers, VDOT begins stockpiling materials months in advance.

By early summer, the agency starts contracting plow operators and supplemental crews—critical partners, since VDOT alone cannot cover the 11-county region with 150 miles of Interstate 81 in the Staunton District. For many contractors, winter work fills seasonal employment gaps, making it a mutually beneficial relationship.

As fall approaches, VDOT conducts "dry runs," where plows, spreaders, dump trucks, graders, and even the occasional snowblower undergo rigorous inspection. Mechanics check everything from hydraulics to electronic components to the flashing safety lights. New operators also drive their designated routes with seasoned staff to learn every cul-de-sac, mailbox, driveway, and hazard before the first storm arrives.

More Than Machines: The Human Infrastructure

VDOT's winter workforce extends far beyond plow drivers. The agency maintains equipment repair shops in multiple locations—including Staunton, Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Alleghany County—staffed with specialists who not only service vehicles in the shop but often crawl under trucks on the roadside during storms.

The agency also relies on dozens of employees whose regular jobs have nothing to do with snow removal. During weather events, environmental staff, surveyors, office workers, and administrative teams might be reassigned to phone operations, storm reporting, or road-condition updates that feed directly into the statewide 511 Virginia system.

As Ken puts it, "VDOT is an all-hands-on-deck operation whenever it snows."

Forecasting the Fight: Science Meets Local Knowledge

Weather drives nearly every decision VDOT makes during a storm. To stay ahead, the agency collaborates closely with two National Weather Service offices—Sterling for the northern Shenandoah Valley and Blacksburg for the southern region—while also relying on a private forecasting consultant.

However, the most valuable insights often come from the ground. Supervisors stationed throughout the district contribute hyperlocal knowledge about cold pockets, shaded roadways, tricky curves, and elevations where conditions can change dramatically within a few miles. This matters in a district that stretches from Page County's valleys to Highland County's rugged ridges, nicknamed "Virginia's Switzerland" for its long, snowy seasons.

Understanding Treatments: Brine, Salt, and Abrasives

One of the most common misconceptions among drivers involves road treatments—particularly when VDOT chooses not to pre-treat ahead of a storm. Ken clarifies that brine (a saltwater solution) only works when applied well in advance of snowfall. If a storm begins with rain, the liquid simply washes away. That's why VDOT carefully times its anti-icing operations 24 to 36 hours before precipitation arrives.

Salt remains the standard treatment, but once temperatures drop into the low 20s or teens, its effectiveness weakens. That's when the agency may incorporate abrasives—fine, gritty particles smaller than pea gravel—to help vehicles gain traction. In extreme cold, VDOT may also use calcium chloride, a more potent but costlier option reserved for the harshest conditions.

And yes—VDOT mixes its own brine in giant onsite tanks equipped with agitators.

The Interstates Come First: Prioritizing What Matters Most

When snow starts falling, VDOT's first priority is always the interstates and major primary roads that support hospitals, fire and rescue, commercial trucking, and essential travel. During heavy storms, plow operators may spend the entire event clearing a single 30-mile stretch of Interstate 81, circling back and forth until snowfall eases.

Only once the major routes are reasonably clear can operators move to secondary roads and neighborhoods.

Why Staying Home Makes a Difference

Both Janet and Ken stress one message above all: staying off the roads during storms dramatically improves safety—and speeds up VDOT's work.

"It's a lot easier to plow a road that doesn't have any vehicles on it," Ken explains. Fewer cars mean fewer accidents, fewer stuck vehicles blocking lanes, and fewer obstacles for plow drivers navigating low visibility and icy conditions.

For those who must drive—retail workers, health-care employees, and service professionals—Ken offers clear advice: leave early, drive slowly, avoid sudden movements, and give yourself far more stopping distance than usual. And when in doubt, assume the road is icy—especially when freezing rain creates hazardous, nearly invisible "black ice."

Tools for Drivers: 511 and Real-Time Road Temperature Data

VDOT's 511 Virginia system provides far more than traffic cameras. Drivers can access pavement temperature readings, weather station data, alerts, and real-time incident reports—tools that help them decide when (or whether) to travel.

Even VDOT staff use the traffic cameras to track approaching storms: "They'll watch the snow hit Mount Jackson, and they know it's coming next."

A Final Word: Respect the Storm

As the conversation ends, Ken offers one last reminder: preparation, patience, and caution remain the keys to a safer winter season. Whether you're a commuter, a weekend traveler, or just someone who loves snow days, VDOT's work depends on drivers doing their part.

And if you need an excuse to stay home? Janet jokes that she'll be citing Ken personally.