Winter Travel

WSDOT has an arsenal of strategies and is adding some innovative tactics to keep mountain passes open during tough weather conditions.

Winter News

• Studded Tire deadline extended in Washington and Oregon
• Check the Weather Forecast
• Mountain Passes Traffic Cameras

Links on this Page:
Highway Snow and Ice Removal
What To Do in Winter Weather
Safe Winter Driving Tips
How We Talk to Drivers
Your Tire and Chain Options
Traction Advisory

Highway Snow and Ice Removal

Our highway maintenance crews are ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prevent or remove snow and ice.  These tasks take precedence over all other non-emergency work.

We prevent ice from forming on highways in the most vulnerable locations by applying anti-icing compounds.  If temperatures keep dropping or snow and ice appear on highways, we plow and apply additional de-icer or sand to provide traction.

What To Do in Winter Weather

• Check The Forecast - When you see an extreme forecast, plan ahead. Talk to your employer, local school or daycare center. How will they provide you information?
• Limit Travel During the Storm - Check road reports, forecasts and roadway temperatures at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/. Stock up on household items. Emergency groups encourage you to have supplies that will last three days. Visit emd.wa.gov/index.shtml and http://www.govlink.org/3days3waysfor more information.

Safe Winter Driving Tips

Before Leaving Home: Prepare Yourself and Your Vehicle
Before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions and prepare your vehicle. Safe drivers know the weather, and they know their limits. If the weather is bad, remember, Ice and Snow, take it Slow , or just don't go.

• You should keep your vehicle in top operating condition all year round for safety and fuel economy. Read your owner's manual and you are encouraged to print Winter Driving Tips (224kb.pdf)

Safe Travel on the Road

Winter Conditions call for different driving tactics, Ice and Snow, take it Slow - slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It's not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.

• Drive with your headlights on
• Ice and Snow, take it Slow , Drive for conditions. Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won't help you stop any faster.
• Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others. Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances.
• Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
• Look farther ahead in traffic. Action by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
• Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don't let your car make a bad decision for you.
• Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.

Safe Travel Around Snowplows

Snowplows are usually spreading anti-icing materials from the back of the truck and may need to stop or take evasive action to avoid stranded vehicles. If you find yourself behind a snowplow, stay behind it or use caution when passing. The road behind a snowplow will be safer to drive on.

• Don't crowd the plow. Snowplows plow far and wide-sometimes very wide. The front plow extends several feet in front of the truck and may cross the centerline and shoulders during plowing operations.
• Plows turn and exit the road frequently. Give them plenty of room. Stay back at least 15 car lengths (200 feet).
• On multiple lane roads, watch for snowplows operating in either lane.
• Snowplows can throw up a cloud of snow that can reduce your visibility to zero in less time than you can react. Drive smart. Never drive into a snow cloud - it could conceal a snowplow.
• A snowplow operator's field of vision is restricted. You may see them but they may not see you.

How We Talk to Drivers

The WSDOT communications staff keeps in regular contact with members of local media, giving them the latest road conditions and trouble spots. You can find this information:

• On Your Computer
  Know before you go: visit WSDOT's Website at www.wsdot.wa.gov . The Website offers several ways to get information:
• Traffic and Incident Map : At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts , the color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions, including construction delays and highway incidents. You can zoom in to view traffic, construction, traffic cameras and travel data on specific routes.
• Mountain Pass Reports : Drivers can access text updates on 15 Washington mountain passes, view images from traffic cameras and see the mountain weather and roadway conditions via the web at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes . These WSDOT mountain pass reports begin November 1 and are updated 24-hours a day, seven days a week during winter months.
• Weather and Road Temperatures : At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather , drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state. This page also offers a zoom feature to look a detailed, location-specific forecasts, and local weather station information, including camera images. Also on the weather page are links to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center and satellite images.
• Info on Tire Chain Requirements: Washington's law on tire and traction requirements, along with diagrams and other tire chain information is available at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialvehicle/chain_req.htm.
  
  
• On Your PDA/Small Screen Device:
  Drivers with web service on their PDAs and cellular phones can access http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/small/. This site offers information formatted for your small-screen device showing Seattle traffic, ferry schedules and mountain pass reports.
  
• On Your Phone:
  Real time traffic and weather information is available by simply dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. Updated every few minutes, 5-1-1 provides updated traffic and travel information and mountain pass reports.
  
• In Your Vehicle:
  Our highway message signs and advisory radio offer specific location-based information. It's a good idea to program 530AM and 1610AM on your radio.

Your Tire and Chain Options

To qualify as traction tires, your tires must have at least an eighth of an inch of tread and be labeled Mud and Snow, M+S, All Season, or have a Mountain/Snowflake symbol. Because different types of winter tires perform best under different road conditions, your local tire dealer can help you select the best option.  Remember, tire dealers are busiest before and during winter storms. 

Vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), including some larger passenger trucks, SUVs, RVs and vehicles towing trailers, must carry chains Nov. 1 through March 31 (see 2008 extension information) on certain state-owned roads. 

For more information on Washington's tire and chain regulations, visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialvehicle/chain_req.htmor http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wacWAC 204-22 Standards for Tire Chains.

		Stud Alternative - Approved This stud-less tire has over 3,200 sipes to help grip the winter roadway. The soft rubber compound helps in wet weather conditions, but is too soft for warmer, summer driving.
		Studded - Approved This studded tire has staggered studs designed to wear with the tire. While providing additional traction on snow and ice, studs wear down the roadway.
		All Season - Approved This all season tire is designed for everyday use. The rubber compound is suitable for all weather conditions. Siping (small slots cut or molded into a tire tread surface) would greatly increase this tire's traction on winter roadways.
		Performance - Not Approved This performance tire is the most nimble tire and has the best response on dry pavement. It has the least amount of traction on winter roadways, making it strictly a summer tire.

Traction Advisory

For more information, contact WSDOT Winter Maintenance at WSDOTWinterOperations@wsdot.wa.gov