City of Duluth snowplow drivers say they’re ready for first major snowfall

DULUTH, Minn. — With snowplows officially out on Duluth roads assisting Twin Ports commuters, there’s some interesting science that goes along with the first plowable snowfall.

While the snow has been few and far between so far during the season, the noticeable lack of snowfall has helped plow drivers be extra ready for whatever comes their way.

“The city takes 30 days in October to go through our equipment, to go through our staff, to do all of that kind of homework, if you will, to be ready for the winter season,” said Geoff Vukelich, the city’s operations manager, who hope the local population has been doing the same.

“Every resident should do that too. Make sure you got your shovels out, sure you got a little bit of salt and sand, but also look at your vehicle, talk to your neighbors, see if anybody is a ‘snowbird.'”

Scientifically, when it comes to friction and traction on the roads for drivers, the first snowfall can be riskier than the others, largely because of a lack of salt build-up on the roads from past storms.

“This first storm that we’re going to get is probably going to be slippery than most people need to kind of slow down, take their time, and then also make sure that you are doing what you can for your neighbors in the community,” said Vukelich

The City of Duluth maintains more than 450 miles of roadway, with a fleet of 25 plow and sanding truck, all of which are driven by 35 fulltime snowplow operators and 28 trained secondary operators for fatigue relief, or to backfill.