The first winter storm of the season has the City of Cedar Rapids fully prepared. The Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Linn, Johnson and surrounding counties until 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Here's a snow removal term you may not have heard: flake calcium chloride. It's added to the salt/sand mix to help improve the melting capabilities and withstand bitter temperatures up to 25 below.

Now, the coldest season stats from the City of 5 Seasons:

  • Cedar Rapids’ salt dome holds approximately 4,500 tons of salt.
  • On average, the City uses approximately 9,000 tons of salt and 7,000 tons of sand each winter, and prepares for roughly 25 to 30 “significant snow events” each year, which could range from an all-plow snow emergency, to applying brine applications.
  • The City has 10,000 gallons of brine on hand and 6 brine applicators, including a sidewalk brine unit to service City-owned sidewalks.
  • The City has approximately 90 pieces of snow removal equipment, and crews work 3 shifts around the clock when Mother Nature brings the white stuff.

The region will receive 4-7" with this system. Locally higher amounts are possible. Even colder conditions arrive on the other side of the storm with Wednesday high temps not expected to reach zero.

We'll keep you posted on your Tuesday commute with frequent news and weather updates from CBS2 on the KRNA Morning Show with Free Beer & Hot Wings.

 

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