Winter Travel Advisory Information
Road Condition Definitions
The following are terms used when reporting information in the Thruway Winter Traveler Advisory System. There are three categories for reporting: road status, pavement conditions and weather conditions. These terms give general information and travel conditions for the reported segment.
| No Report | There is currently no reported road condition for the segment. |
|---|---|
| Generally Clear and Dry Conditions | The entire length of the reporting segment appears clear and dry. There may be isolated stretches or spot locations that indicate snow, ice, slush or wet pavement. |
| Wet Conditions | The segment is wet with liquid water from rain or fully melted snow. |
| Snow and Ice Conditions | Within the segment wheel paths may be visible and there is snow, slush or ice on the pavement. This includes areas with wind blown snow or icy spots. |
| Severe Snow and Ice Conditions | Within the segment the pavement is not visible. There is snow, slush or ice build-up within the segment. |
| Closed Portions | Within the reporting segment there are no lanes open in one or both directions for a portion of the segment. Report here when one direction only is closed or when a portion of the length of a segment is closed -- but not the whole segment. |
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| Wet | Within the segment there are isolated locations with liquid water present on the pavement. |
|---|---|
| Flooded | Within the segment there are one or more locations with standing water on the pavement. |
| Icy | Within the segment there are isolated locations with ice present on the pavement. |
| Snow | Within the segment there is snow on the pavement that is being removed by the normal plowing operation. |
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| Fog | Within the segment there is fog present where visibility is affected. |
|---|---|
| Dense Fog | Within the segment there is dense fog present where visibility is limited to less than one quarter. |
| Poor Visibility | Any condition -- other than fog or darkness - that limits visibility to one quarter mile or less. |
| Rain | Within the segment there are liquid water droplets falling that remain liquid on the pavement. |
| Freezing Rain | Within the segment there are locations where rain is falling that freezes when hitting the pavement forming an ice glaze. |
| Sleet | Within the segment there is precipitation falling consisting of pellets of ice. |
| Blowing and Drifting Snow | Within the segment there are locations where previously fallen snow has been carried onto or across the pavement by the wind. |
| Light Snow | Snow conditions where visibility within the segment exceeds one half mile or where the snowfall rate is less than one inch per hour. |
| Heavy Snow | Snow conditions where visibility within the segment is limited to one quarter mile or where the snowfall rate exceeds one inch per hour. |