PHOENIX — With weather updates important to traffic flow and the safety of motorists, an innovative partnership between the Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona State University will provide real-time forecasts to those managing our highways.
Beginning in January, a meteorology graduate student from ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning will work as an intern in ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center, helping crews respond rapidly to winter storms and other weather challenges to clear highways and potentially prevent closures.
“This is an exciting step forward for public safety,” said Brent Cain, assistant director for ADOT’s Transportation Systems Management & Operations division. “This will allow us to have better information about weather conditions so we can more quickly determine how to deploy our crews and communicate with the public. All of that will make Arizona roads safer.”
Randy Cerveny, ASU President’s Professor in the School of Geographic Sciences and Urban Planning, said the setup also will allow top students to experience how meteorology can provide service to people in many areas.
“Most people only think of meteorologists on television, but by far most meteorologists work in settings like this one,” Cerveny said. “This is a real-world, real-time application of meteorology in a way that can help people all across Arizona.”
Paul Panhans, a first-year meteorology student and U.S. Air Force veteran, will begin working with ADOT in January. He said his experience interning with the National Weather Service will allow him to work closely with that agency.
“I will liaise with the National Weather Service and add in my own work to provide ADOT with the best possible weather forecasting,” Panhans said. “I expect to be able to help with such things as visibility, wind and freezing precipitation.”
WILLIAMS — Williams woke up to a light coat of snow which did not prevent the fire department from making the rounds with Santa. The sun burnt off much of the snow before noon and the day remained mostly sunny.
Santa Fe is a rare mix of water and a thin coat of ice which captured the morning snow. Some even took time to create some artwork in the snow.
All-in-all it was a beautiful day in Williams. That may change overnight, however, as there is a 40% chance of snow today with 20% in the morning and into Saturday night. High winds are predicted with wind chill values of -14-degrees.
WILLIAMS — Williams received a light dusting of snow this morning matching the NOAA forecast of snow before 11 a.m. By 10 a.m. the sun was out making for a fairly warm morning.
WILLIAMS — Weather in Williams has warmed up to the mid-30s. Santa Fe is frozen over and visitors are enjoying the snow.
In the meantime, the Zipline is open for business until it is actually snowing or raining. Visitors are enjoying the weather with special construction projects.
WILLIAMS — If you reserved your tickets for the Polar Express tonight, you picked a winner. With little snow yesterday, Williams woke up to a fine blanket of snow which made for a beautiful morning.
I do not usually wake up early especially on a weekend. I had to take an exam in Flagstaff, however, and was pleasantly surprised by the winter wonderland. If you plan to visit Williams, plan a tour around in the early morning or early evening to check out the city lights.
WILLIAMS — To highlight the warm weather we have been enjoying, the Santa Fe Dam was nearly covered with a thin layer of ice on December 1. Today only a small patch remained near the south end.
WILLIAMS — While snow fell, the City of Williams prepared for the reception of the annual Christmas tree on Second Street next to The Gallery in Williams. Williams received light snow throughout the day starting at about 9 a.m. while Flagstaff had already received a significant snowfall of at least 4″ overnight.