Academy preps for cold, snow

  • Published
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  
The Academy is gearing up today for expected snowfall, icy roads, slippery sidewalks and other winter hazards.

According to the National Weather Service Organization, there is a 30 percent chance of snow on in the afternoon hours of Nov. 10 due to an approaching cold front.

The weather service calls for a 10 percent chance of snow before 11a.m., a high temperature of 27 degrees and 10-15 mph winds from the southeast, Nov. 11.

Academy officials have working to prepare the installation the expected fall freeze. 

"As you drive around the base, you'll notice snow route signs and snow gates are in position," said John Sutherland, 10th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and equipment supervisor. "They're designed to guide you through the safest parts of the base during bad weather. Emergency access or snow routes are usually open 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Snow routes, seen on the map in red, are emergency primary snow routes and open all day. Major roads, seen in blue on the map, are secondary routes. Overnight, these roads do not receive the same attention from snow removal crews as emergency access roads, so drivers should stay on snow routes during and immediately after each snowfall. All other roads are usually cleared within 24 hours of snowfall.

During high snowfall, Academy roads are usually open by 5 a.m. and cleared until 10 p.m., Sutherland said.

Winter safety tips

-- Snow gates are installed for the safety of Academy drivers. Don't try to open or drive around these gates. Many areas surrounding the gates are steep or may not have been cleared of snow. Each gate has a road closed sign and once closed, the area past the gate is considered off limits. Driving around a closed gate is a citable offence, according to 10th Security Forces Squadron official here.

-- Roads may be slippery due to a deicing spray. The granular deicer is similar to sand and can damage a vehicle if a driver closely follows a deicing crew.

-- Keep your vehicle's headlights on during bad weather and stay at least 100 feet behind snow plows. Snow rolling off the blade can damage your vehicle.

-- Park stalled vehicles as far from the road as possible, with emergency flashers on, and move it as soon as possible. Don't leave it on shoulder of the road as it might be buried in snow.

-- Avoid roads blocked by a closed gate as crews may be clearing the road and don't expect other vehicles in the area. During high winds and snowfall, snow equipment operator's visibility is diminished, posing a safety concern for the operators.

-- Never jog or bicycle on roads during snow-removal periods. 

-- Parking lots are usually plowed at night, but if snowfall increases during the day, crews work to maintain a clear route into the lots. Clearing the lots is limited because of parked cars, so Academy staff leaving for an extended period should remove their vehicles from the lots or park along the perimeter of the lot.

-- Be patient and attentive while driving. Anticipate the actions of the vehicles in front of you. Drivers can identify black ice or slippery roads by the actions of the vehicles ahead them.  

-- Prepare to brake early. Don't spin your vehicle's tires when driving away from a stop sign or traffic light.

-- During snow and icy road conditions, reduce your vehicle's speed at least 15 mph. Speeds on I-25 can decrease quickly too, so increase your following distance and don't speed. Give yourself enough time to get to and from your destination.

-- Make sure your vehicle has properly inflated snow tires or the equivalent. Your vehicle's antifreeze system should be flushed and refilled if it hasn't been in more than two years.

-- Check your vehicle's battery for corroded terminals. Make sure its battery fluid is at the correct level.

Delayed reporting

Delayed reporting and base closure information is released to local radio and television stations. Academy Airmen can tune in to a local radio or TV station or www.usafa.af.mil during heavy snowfall or bad weather. Call 333-2800 or 333-6249 for Academy road conditions.

Smartphone users can download USAFA Snow, a free app to let them know if the Academy has delayed or closed normal operations.

The app is available for Android and iPhone users and other smartphone with a browser.

Android users can install the application from the Google Play store. iPhone users have a trickier process because Apple doesn't allow the application in the iTunes store.

To get the application on an iPhone, open the browser and visit Appcatch.com, the application market, at www.tinyurl.com/usafasnow-iphone.

Visit www.forecast.weather.gov for weather information.