Salt Treatment Limited in Effectiveness Due to Cold Temperatures

ST. LOUIS — A winter storm shifting northward has increased the likelihood of snowfall in the St. Louis area this weekend, according to local officials and weather forecasts.

The upcoming winter storm’s track has shifted in the past day, prompting heightened preparations by transportation and public safety agencies.

Joe Monroe, operations engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), provided insight into the department’s response on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. He said crews are preparing trucks, ensuring fuel and treatment supplies are ready, and conducting maintenance to prevent freezing in fuel systems amid forecasted low temperatures.

“We have everyone working on the trucks and making sure fuel and everything on the trucks are ready for the snow and cold,” Monroe said. He noted that temperatures could be as low as 8 degrees near the Riverbend area around noon Saturday, with some forecasts predicting lows in the single digits or even below zero in parts of District 8.

Monroe explained that due to the very cold temperatures and the nature of the snow, pre-treating roadways with salt may offer only limited benefit.

“Salt isn’t overly impacting at those temps,” he said.

Instead, IDOT’s strategy focuses on keeping plows active throughout the event to prevent snow from packing on roadways and using more aggressive treatments after the storm passes to clear surfaces.

The timing of the snow remains uncertain, with no consensus on exact arrival times. “Right now, there is no consensus, but around 3-4 o’clock Saturday in District 8,” Monroe said, adding that the department’s goal is to maintain continuous plowing to keep roads clear during the storm.

Monroe also discussed variations in forecast models, noting some predict minimum temperatures as low as 6 degrees Saturday night into Sunday, while others forecast lows closer to 12 degrees.

Preparations continue in anticipation of the storm, including receiving salt deliveries, adding fuel additives, and readying equipment for operation in temperatures ranging from the mid-teens to mid-20s, Monroe said.

Monroe emphasized the challenges posed by the storm’s uncertain path and temperature extremes, describing the situation as “tough” for decision-making but affirming the department’s pragmatic approach.

Residents in the St. Louis area and Southern Illinois are advised to monitor weather updates and prepare for potential travel impacts over the weekend as the winter storm approaches.

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