The Illinois State Climatologist’s Office indicates that November 23 is the average date for the first measurable snow, with December 2 being the average date for the first one-inch or more snowfall. In preparation for this coming winter season, Public Works conducted its annual Snow and Ice Training on November 6, 2012. Fifty Public Works employees – from drivers to dispatchers to management staff – attended the training. Topics included vehicle/equipment maintenance and inspection, safety, and storm fighting techniques. Following training, drivers checked equipment and ran “dry” runs to determine if there were any obstacles on their primary routes, such as raised manholes, etc.
Champaign was fortunate to experience a mild winter in the 2011/12 season (the fourth mildest winter on record) with only 11.40 inches of snowfall. The typical amount of snowfall for the area is 23 inches.