Snow Plowing Update: December 18, 2025

Bottom Line

Plunging temperatures could lead to icy conditions tonight. Streets Division plows will be out. If you are on the roads, sidewalks, or paths tonight, you will need to be slow, alert, and ready for very slick conditions.

Operations Details

Streets Division will dispatch salt routes to the main throughfares this afternoon.

When the rain stops and before the temperatures plummet, they will begin salting the 800 miles of traffic lanes.

Any residual salt on the roads would have been washed off by today’s rain. By salting this afternoon after the rainstorm, we’re hoping to prevent ice forming later when the temperatures drop.

Crews will be on these salt routes from the afternoon through the evening hours.

At around midnight, we will have crews on to begin applying sand to the hills, curves, and intersections of residential areas.

The sanding operation will continue through the overnight hours.

What’s the weather doing?

Following the rain, there are slight chances of snow paired with high winds. Temperatures are also expected to fall rapidly – it should be in the single digits by the morning commute on Friday.

The concern is that the wet, damp pavement may become icy.

You may have seen or read meteorologists using the term “flash freeze” to describe what could happen tonight.

Traveling Through Madison

No matter how you choose to travel through Madison – car, bike, or walk – tonight’s weather could make your commuting a challenge.

Be ready for icy areas as spots with standing water, or other damp areas could freeze as temperatures bottom out.

You need to make good choices. Stay alert. Stay slow. Stay cautious.

For the Friday morning commute, you may want to leave a little bit early just in case some of the non-salted residential areas require you to be slower than you prefer.

As noted earlier, Streets Division plows will be out applying material – salting the main roads and sanding the residential areas – but you may still encounter slick spots.

In conclusion…

Streets Division staff will be monitoring the roads and the weather. Operations will adjust as conditions and weather require it.