Who Plows My Street?
Determine if the MCDOT is responsible for treating your street.
Check Snow Removal Status
Determine the snow removal status of your service area during a snow event.
Submit a Service Request
Submit a snow-related service request to the County or State.
Need Help?
Winter Storm Information Portal: How To Guide...
Learn how to use the County's Winter Storm Information Portal to submit a snow-related service request or to obtain a snow removal status for your street or service area.
Are You Prepared for a Storm?
The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security provides information on how to prepare for winter storms. {C}
Contact MC311 for Non-Emergency Storm Info
During weatheremergencies, MC311provides emergency response support as long as it isneeded. Contact MC311 byphone (311 or 240-777-0311) or visit www.mc311.com.
Frequently Asked Winter Weather Questions
Answers to frequently asked winter weather questions are provided by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT).
Winter Weather Tips
- MCDOT Response
- Plowing Order
- Sidewalk
- Parking
- Reporting
- Latest Delays, Closings, and Information Updates
- MCDOT's Snow Response Plan Overview
- Winter Weather Information
County News
The latest information from Montgomery County Public Information Office on updates and announcements.
School Delays and Closings
The latest information from Montgomery County Public Schools about school closures and delayed openings.
Community Activity/Meeting Cancellations
Activities in schools are cancelled when public schools close early or for the entire day. Also find out about weekend and holiday cancellations or delays in County buildings.
Recreation Facilities
Obtain information about modifications to hours of facility operations.
Library Branches
Information about modifications to hours of operation for Public Library branches.
Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks' inclement weather closures are provided by the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission.
Rideon Delays or Changes
Find out about delays or changes on the County's Ride On bus routes.
Metrobus and Metrorail
Go to Metro's website to get the latest information about train and bus schedules and delays in service.
Traffic Incidents and Delays
Get real-time information on what's happening on roads in the area from Montgomery County and the State of Maryland.
Traffic Cameras
Using the County's nearly 200 traffic cameras, check road conditions before venturing out.
Trash and Recycling Collection Delays
Learn whether your recycling or trash pick-up will be affected by the winter storm.
County Council Meetings or Hearings
Check the Council home page for weather or emergency related cancellations or postponements of Council meetings and hearings.
{C}
MCDOT's Snow Response Plan Overview
MCDOT is responsible for treating and plowing over 5,000 total lane miles in Montgomery County.When it snows, 200 employees with 175 pieces of equipment spring into action.In addition, up to 180 contract personnel and over 200 pieces of contractor equipment can be mobilized as necessary. Winter storm operations plan stages are described below:
- Stage 1: At the beginning of a storm event, County crews patrol, monitor road conditions, and pre-treat roads
- Stage 2: When the snow or freezing precipitation begins to cover the roads (less than 3 inches of accumulation), the County spreads salt on emergency and primary neighborhood routes
- Stage 3: When the snow accumulates to 3 inches or more, crews plow and salt all emergency routes and primary neighborhood routes
- Stage 4: Once the snow stops, County crews complete the emergency and primary neighborhood routes and begin plowing neighborhood routes until they are completed
- Stage 5: County routes have been completed (as long as snow has stopped)
Throughout a snow storm event, the County spreads abrasives on hills, at intersections, and on roads around schools.
{C}
Preparing for a Winter Storm... Before the Snow Begins
MCDOT prepares for a Winter Storm by monitoring and analyzing weather forecasts and road pavement conditions. If the analysis reveals that a storm is imminent, then the County Storm Operations Center and MCDOT Depots are activated. County snow plow crews are then given their plow routes and their trucks are loaded with salt to tackle the approaching storm.
{C}
During a Winter Storm ... Clear Emergency and Main County Roads
When the snow begins to cover roads, salt crews spread salt on all main County roads and emergency routes. After the snow accumulates to 3 inches, plowing and salting crews continue to clear all main County roads and emergency routes.
{C}
After the Winter Storm... After the Snowfall Ends
Once the snow stops, crews begin plowing over 4,000 lane miles of residential or neighborhood roads. County crews complete their plow routes and spread abrasives on hills, at intersections, and on roads around schools in residential areas.
{C}
{C}
Clear your Sidewalks of Snow and Ice
Property owners are required by law to clear sidewalks in front of, and alongside, their properties within 24 hours of the end of a snow storm.
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
The MDOT Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) web site provides access to realtime highway and traffic data for Maryland state roads.
Montgomery County Social Media Directory
The Montgomery County Social Media Directory provides County social media sites, blogs, and feeds for up to date information during a storm event.
Power Outages
Contact your power company -- BG&E (877-778-2222) / First Energy/Potomac Edison (1-888-544-4877) / PEPCO (1-877-737-2662) --to get power outage information or to report a problem.
Property Damage Claims
Report property damage to a driveway, fence, grass, mailbox, or vehicle due to a County snowplow. Please review the County's Snow Removal Claims Guidelines for more information.
Stay Informed with Alert Montgomery
Register with Alert Montgomery to receive emergency County updates, warnings and instructions on any of your devices.
Weather Forecasts
National Weather Service, WeatherBug, and the Weather Channel provide up to the minute weather information, forecasts, severe weather warnings and alerts.
Who Else Plows Snow in Montgomery County
The State of Maryland, the Federal Government, other County departments, agencies, and jurisdictions as well as some homeowners associations also have responsibility for plowing.
County residents are required by law to clear sidewalks in front of and alongside their properties within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm. But don’t just do it because it’s the law.
- Do it for schoolkids
- Do it for older adults
- Do it for folks who depend on transit
- Do it for yourself and your family
- When shoveling, please keep snow clear from fire hydrants
Clear Your Sidewalks Information
