Ohio is expected to experience its first snow of the winter season on Thursday and crews with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) are prepared for the occasion.

According to a press release, the warmer start to the week means pavement temperatures will be hot enough to melt the snow upon contact, but drivers should still be alert on bridges and overpasses since conditions there change more rapidly as temperatures fall.

ODOT is making sure trucks, drivers and equipment are ready to go across the state with over 810,000 tons of salt under roof and over 4.5 million gallons of liquid deicer ready.

The agency utilizes nearly 3,000 drivers who often work 12-hour shifts during snow and ice events with about 500 drivers hired seasonally. The agency also uses auxiliary drivers who are full-time employees who normally do other tasks and only plow snow when needed.

Drivers are reminded to make room for ODOT crews and vehicles on the road. According to the release, 22 plows were struck last winter, which is a decrease from the 26 plows struck the year before.

When these plows are struck, it takes necessary snow removal equipment off the road forcing other plows to extend their routes and poses a risk of injury to drivers.