The season’s first substantial snowfall appears to be heading for Western Pennsylvania, and the Allegheny and Westmoreland County public works departments want residents to know they’re ready.

Snow is expected to begin Thursday night and continue into Friday morning with a total accumulation of about 1 to 3 inches, according to the National Weather Service office in Moon. However, those totals could increase, especially south of Pittsburgh.

“We have 22 salt trucks with plows installed going out on Thursday whenever the snow starts and we’ll attack the storm as long as we need to,” said Allegheny County Public Works Director Stephen Shanley. The department is monitoring the weather and may adjust its plans based on the latest forecasts, he said.

Meanwhile, Westmoreland County Engineer Vaughn Neill said the county is ready to respond to the snowfall as well.

“We have eight snowplow operators who work 12-hour shifts during snow/ice events so they can be available around the clock,” he said. “In preparation for this week’s snow forecast, our salt supply and anti-skid material supply are full. The snowplow trucks are loaded and driver schedules will be adjusted to the forecast as it evolves.”

With snow totals well below average for this time of year — a total of only 1.8 inches of snow has been measured at Pittsburgh International Airport so far — Shanley said the department is well supplied with 9,198 tons of salt and 3,705 gallons of liquid calcium chloride in stock.

But with plow drivers not having dealt with snow in so long, Shanley acknowledged a certain rust factor is in play.

“The traveling public has to drive with the snow too, so we encourage them to slow down and leave extra space just because it is new for our drivers,” he said.

“They’ve been plowing these roads for years so they are experienced. But it’s the first snow (this year) for the drivers out there, so (travelers) should give them enough room to operate so they can clear the roads efficiently.”

Public Works is responsible for over 360 miles of roadway, according to Shanley.

If residents have questions concerning which roads Allegheny County is responsible for maintaining, they can go to alleghenycounty.us/whoownsmyroad for more information.

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