This is probably old news to many but for those who do not know, three useful resources for winter trip planning are listed below.
At the moment, Diane and I are sitting in Portland, OR, waiting to deliver at 08:00 local time. We are not pre-dispatched. As we wonder what we will be hauling next, where to, and when, the weather comes immediately to mind.
The weather is fine in Portland right now, but snow is forcast in all directions a longer run might take us. Severe weather is forcast in places. Tire chains may be required. It may be best to avoid certain places alltogether.
For example: "Winter storm warnings are in effect for the central Rockies as one to two feet of snow are possible across the mountains of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. In addition to the snow, look out for some very strong winds. Gusts of 50, 60, even 70 mph are possible today, with the strongest winds along the ridge tops." (Source: Weather.com)
On the other hand, it might be fine to accept a load that picks up later today or tomorrow and goes over the Rockies, since the storm will likely be over and the roads will be cleared before we get there.
When you don't know where you are going or when, do know the weather may be severe, will need to make quick decisions about load offers that will come, and would like to have verifiable weather and tire chain info handy for discussing pickup and delivery times with dispatch; quick-reference weather and tire chain info is nice to have.
Interstate driving forecasts are at:
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/news/?from=maproom&refer=maproom
A very cool interstate highway weather map is at:
http://www.weather.com/maps/activity/driving/index_large.html?from=mapofweek
State-by-state tire chain regs are at:
http://tirechain.com/TIRECHAINUSEREGULATIONS.htm
At the moment, Diane and I are sitting in Portland, OR, waiting to deliver at 08:00 local time. We are not pre-dispatched. As we wonder what we will be hauling next, where to, and when, the weather comes immediately to mind.
The weather is fine in Portland right now, but snow is forcast in all directions a longer run might take us. Severe weather is forcast in places. Tire chains may be required. It may be best to avoid certain places alltogether.
For example: "Winter storm warnings are in effect for the central Rockies as one to two feet of snow are possible across the mountains of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. In addition to the snow, look out for some very strong winds. Gusts of 50, 60, even 70 mph are possible today, with the strongest winds along the ridge tops." (Source: Weather.com)
On the other hand, it might be fine to accept a load that picks up later today or tomorrow and goes over the Rockies, since the storm will likely be over and the roads will be cleared before we get there.
When you don't know where you are going or when, do know the weather may be severe, will need to make quick decisions about load offers that will come, and would like to have verifiable weather and tire chain info handy for discussing pickup and delivery times with dispatch; quick-reference weather and tire chain info is nice to have.
Interstate driving forecasts are at:
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/news/?from=maproom&refer=maproom
A very cool interstate highway weather map is at:
http://www.weather.com/maps/activity/driving/index_large.html?from=mapofweek
State-by-state tire chain regs are at:
http://tirechain.com/TIRECHAINUSEREGULATIONS.htm
