With thousands of plows, workers and tons of salt, the State Highway Administration said it is ready to tackle the upcoming winter season.
But with forecasters calling for a warmer, drier winter, the need for snow removal may be less than expected.
“We still have to be ready to deploy, even if nothing happens,” said Valerie Burnette Edgar, SHA?s communications director, at the agency?s annual showcase of snow equipment and polices.
Both the National Weather Service and the Old Farmer?s Almanac are calling for slightly warmer temperatures.
NWS forecaster Jim DeCarufel said cooler ocean temperatures off the west coast of South America, known as La Niña, will be responsible for above-normal temperatures.
SHA officials said they have noticed the climate, too, as western Maryland usually has snow this time of year but has yet to see its first measurable snow.
The agency has $21 million budgeted for snow removal but usually spends twice as much. The General Assembly usually pays the difference, since expenses fluctuate based on the amount of snow, Edgar said.
SHA?s fleet will use biodiesel fuel in all its trucks this year. Each tank will contain 5 percent of the mostly soybean-oil fuel, and officials hope to have a 20 percent concentration in the coming years.
Plow drivers warned drivers to not pass plows, as snow and ice spraying from the plow can damage a car or force it off the road.
Kirk Rabenold, a Howard County plow driver, showed off SHA?s wing plow truck, which has an additional plow on the right side.
Rabenold said it cuts the time plowing on highways in half, but presents a hazard to drivers who aren?t paying attention to the truck?s extension.
“I?ve seen people get very close, and in deep snow, it can be hard to see if you aren?t paying attention,” Rabenold said.
