Winter Weather Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The goal of the City of Raleigh’s emergency snow removal is to keep major roadways and public transit routes passable for vehicles equipped with all-weather tires, snow tires or chains, or other special equipment designed for icy road conditions. The City uses salt brine to treat roads during wintry weather. Salt brine is a mixture of salt and water that is applied to major roads, including transit routes, prior to a predicted winter storm. The mixture dissolves snow and ice as it falls onto the pavement. The City has the ability to make and apply salt brine. Although salt brine is not a panacea for treating roads in all types of winter storms, it is a proven and successful tool that will complement the City’s other snow and ice removal strategies.

The plan calls for priority one (major thoroughfares) and priority two (Capital Area Transit bus routes) to be treated with salt brine right before a predicted winter storm hits. After pretreatment with salt brine, the City will spread salt on roads and bridges as soon as snow or ice conditions are detected. Snow plowing begins when the snow depth exceeds two inches.

The City has set a priority system for bridges and roads to determine the order in which salt is spread and plowing occurs. Under this priority system, bridges will be salted first. Following bridges in the priority system will be major thoroughfares, then all Capital Area Transit routes. After that, the City will begin clearing major residential and connector streets, then all other residential streets if snow and/or ice conditions continue.

The City's homepage will provide up-to-date information on street conditions in Raleigh following inclement weather.

Capital Area Transit bus service will be maintained at the highest level possible as long as safety can be assured. If conditions warrant, the bus service will be switched to special inclement weather routes, which serve as much of the regular transit routes as possible. Additional information about Capital Area Transit inclement weather routes can be obtained by calling 919-485-RIDE (7433) or visiting the Capital Area Transit page or www.gotriangle.org.

For thoroughfares, when the roads are not safe due to weather conditions, the City will declare a “Weather Emergency” and request drivers to stay off Raleigh’s main roads until appropriate steps can be taken. Such emergencies would include icy roads, conditions when trees have fallen and other similar occurrences.

The request for citizens to stay off the streets would be made through radio and television outlets as well as emails to local employers. Also during declared weather emergencies, residents will be asked to limit cellular telephone calls except in the case of pressing personal needs.

The City of Raleigh also will communicate with other levels of government in Wake County and local media to coordinate weather plans. Priority will be given to helping school children get home safely.

One major part of the inclement weather plan is communications -- getting timely information to the public as it is needed. Working with the City Manager’s Office, the Public Works Department’s Street Maintenance Division, the Police Department and CAT bus dispatchers, the City of Raleigh Public Affairs Department will provide updated information on current conditions and the City’s emergency response to the news media as quickly as possible.

The City of Raleigh also provides inclement weather information on Cable Channel 11 (RTN 11), the City government access station; Cable Channel 22 (RTN 22), the City’s informational station; the City's social media pages, twitter and facebook; and on the City’s homepage. Citizens should never call 9-1-1 to get information on weather conditions or road conditions. Only call 9-1-1 for real emergencies. Anyone wishing more information about the City’s inclement weather plan or preparations for winter storms should call the City of Raleigh Public Affairs Department at 919-996-3100.

The City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department offers a program called Weather Bound for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The program hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and activities may include sports, crafts, games, computer games, movies and outdoor play. Parents should make sure their children bring a lunch, two snacks, drinks, and a change of clothing.

The cost of the program is $25 for Raleigh residents and $37 for non-residents.

For more information, contact any of the two participating community centers -- Chavis, 919-831-6989, or Green Road, 919-872-4140.

Keep up to date on the most current events in the city, including emergency information, by following the City of Raleigh on Twitter or Facebook.