Two days ago, it was sunny and 77 degrees in Waco. Today, the city is bracing for record snowfall.

National Weather Service forecasters say 6 inches of snow could fall in the Waco area today, beginning around 6 a.m. and lasting through late afternoon.

The last time Waco saw more than 4 inches of snow was Jan. 13, 1982, when 6 inches fell.

TXDoT maintenance technician David Mitchell inspects the hydraulic lines of a sand-spreading truck that may be put to use today.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald

But because of El Nino, snow and long bouts of freezing temperatures have been more common this winter. The latest forecast has local officials preparing for the worst.

Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews spent Monday filling trucks with either a sand-and-gravel mixture or de-icing magnesium chloride, Waco TxDOT spokesman Ken Roberts said.

“We do this every winter,” Roberts said. “If we don’t have snow, we always have ice. We focus first on the roads most heavily traveled. Drivers want to feel a little crunch underneath their wheels.”

On average each year, Waco TxDOT crews use 170 tons of sand/gravel mixture and 75 tons of magnesium chloride, Roberts said.

At Waco Regional Airport, preparation Monday was a bit easier.

“We just have to wait and see,” said Joel Martinez, director of Waco Regional Airport. “We don’t salt the runways. We do a traction test to see if there’s any buildup of ice that would lengthen stopping distances.”

If that’s the case, he said, planes won’t fly, and the airport quickly empties.

“We’ve learned this over time,” Martinez said. “In the past, we’ve told our cafe staff to make sure inventories are up. But, we’ve learned that if the weather is not going to let up, people aren’t going to stick around.”

At press time Monday, American Eagle had canceled its first flight of the day to Dallas. The flight was expected to depart Waco at 7:10 a.m. No other flights had been canceled or delayed at press time.

Just as he does the day before any expected weather event, county Emergency Management Coordinator Frank Patterson on Monday called J.P. DeMeritt, the emergency services director for the American Red Cross in Waco. The two talked over the “what ifs” that go along with any big weather event.

If power lines are knocked down, resulting in massive power outages, the Red Cross needs to be ready with shelter locations, cots and blankets.

DeMeritt said he spent much of his day Monday on the National Weather Service Web site.

A sign warning drivers to slow for an icy bridge stands near State Highway 6 and Loop 340 in Waco. Forecasters say today will be snowy, but warn drivers of icy roads on Wednesday morning commutes.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald

“At this time last year, I remember reading fire-weather forecasts several times a day,” he said.

While DeMeritt and Patterson said they are prepared for the worst, both said they don’t foresee any major problems with the predicted snow.

Patterson said the snowier-than-normal winter made Monday’s preparations easier.

“These things are already in place this year because we’ve already seen the sub-freezing temperatures and the sleet and snow,” Patterson said. “I think it helps. People will take preparing for (the predicted snow) a little more seriously.”

National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Harris said next winter will likely be more typical for the area, with less snow or freezing temperatures.

So, we might as well enjoy it, Harris said.

His expert opinion was that, with the temperature remaining around freezing all day, the snow should be crunchy and good for packing.

“It’s going to be good snowman-making weather,” he said.

equinn@wacotrib.com

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