Public works departments in towns across Butler County are preparing for the first snow of the season. Butler Eagle File Photo

The first snow of the fall is expected to hit Butler County on Thursday, Nov. 21, and Friday, and local public works department are making sure to be prepared.

Meteorologists do not expect more than an inch of snow in Butler.

“The chances of snow in the sky late this week are pretty likely. As far as accumulation on the ground, we’re not too certain about the amounts, but most of info suggests we’ll see less than an inch of snow,” Colton Milcarek from the National Weather Service told the Butler Eagle.

In Butler Township, police will be out to keep an eye on conditions and residents traveling, as well as on the roads during off hours for the Department of Public Works.

Butler Township public works will be prepared for the first snow on Thursday.

“We’ll have all our trucks ready. We’ve been slowly converting over for winter maintenance,” Dave Meeder, director of Butler Township public works, said. “We’ll be ready tomorrow, we’ll monitor conditions.”

Kelly Maurer, director of the Cranberry Township Department of Public Works, said workers will wrap up winter maintenance training by Thursday, and that 17 trucks will be sent out on 17 different routes with 6,500 tons of salt.

The state Department of Transportation urges drivers to avoid unnecessary travel during the state’s first winter storm of the season.

Crews will pretreat roads, but icy conditions remain possible, especially on bridges and ramps. Motorists are advised to stay alert around snowplows, maintain safe distances, and follow state laws regarding vehicle lighting and snow removal.

The first snow of the year always catches some by surprise, as Milcarek explained, especially with less snow over the past couple winters. The weather service advises that while greater impacts on daily travel aren’t expected, but if there is a coating of white on the roads, “always use extra caution and take your time when driving.”

In the coming months, public works departments will be determined to clear roads and keep conditions safe for pedestrians and drivers.

“There is always people that get caught at the last minute. But as far as us, we’re ready. My guys are all ready to go,” Meeder said.

There are several factors that could determine whether western Pennsylvania sees more snow than last year, with the National Weather Service seeing signs of more precipitation, along with above average temperatures.

“There are a couple of competing factors, the first being it is slightly favored we’ll see above average temps, but it is also favored we’ll see above average precipitation,” Milcarek said. “Based on the information we know, we expect it to be more likely than not that we’ll have below average amount of snow, but more than past couple years.”

For updates on road conditions, visit 511PA or PennDOT’s winter safety page.