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A winter storm is closing in, and we’re pulling back the curtain on how Montgomery County keeps people moving when snow stacks up and temperatures plunge. With Storm Operations Center manager Tim Serano, we walk through the real plan: early weather briefings, staffing and contractor call-ups, and why brining primaries and feeders changes the game before the first flake lands.

You’ll hear how a 23 percent salt brine creates a thin barrier that prevents snow from bonding to pavement, making plowing faster and cleaner. We talk through the order of operations during an active storm, why crews may cycle on arterials before shifting into neighborhoods, and how jurisdiction lines matter—state-numbered routes and city streets like Rockville and Gaithersburg have their own teams. Safety stays front and center: giving plows room, avoiding abrupt moves around spreaders, and planning trips with updated timelines.

We also spotlight the county’s snow portal at montgomerycountymd.gov/snow, If this was useful, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review so more residents can stay storm-ready.