Snow, Freezing Rain, Rain and then Snow. When to clear up?

[Avondale]

We are having a bit of winter here, started with enough snow to warrant clearing but freezing rain is now falling with rain imminent. More snow is expected to follow, (later?). Today, I have elected to wait for the rain to stop, clean up what is left. Clearing before the rain would leave hard pack for the water to freeze on, making a skating rink of my driveway. When do you clear up?

 

[hr3]

For me it depends on the long term forecast.. This storm it's going to be very cold for several days after so I cleaned up while it was still fluffy.. Down to the dirt.. Right now there is a bit of a glaze i'm hoping for a bit of rain before it ends but I'm not holding my breath.. The temp went from 33 while plowing to 30 now..

Most times your da**ed if you do and da**ed if you don't..

 

[nybirdman]

I'm headed out in a few minutes,32degrees and raining.Suppose to go way below zero tomorrow so it will be like concrete.Only have a couple inches on the ground.I know if I plow is going to be a skating rink tomorrow.

 

[deerseeker001]

If there is Snow on the driveway with freezing Rain,wait till Rain stops before plowing,that will help from turning to ice rink.

 

[radair]

If there is Snow on the driveway with freezing Rain,wait till Rain stops before plowing,that will help from turning to ice rink.

My feelings exactly. Sometimes it's tough to leave a mess and risk it turning to concrete but I have found that letting the snow absorb the rain and blowing after the freeze is the way to go. Otherwise I have a big sanding job ahead of me...

 

[tcreeley]

3" and 32F. No rain as yet.

 

[Looking4new]

I just got finished blowing 7" of the stuff off 4 driveways and a parking area. I will probably have to do it all again tomorrow AFTER I get new lift pins for the blower.
I have a heavy equipment dealer about 6 miles from me. He is not a Kioti dealer, but for the parts I need it doesn't matter. I get most of my parts from him along with some implements.

 

[George2615]

We only had an inch or so of snow late yesterday afternoon. Then it turned to freezing rain most of the evening. Today it's 50* F and everything is melting and turning the ground to mud.
It's a tough call when to go out and clean up. If freezing rain is in the forecast I wait till after the rain to plow. If you plow before freezing rain you are right that you'll have an ice skating rink on the hard pack base.

 

[PILOON]

If there is Snow on the driveway with freezing Rain,wait till Rain stops before plowing,that will help from turning to ice rink.

Absolutely, well said.

Once when I did snow contracts a client showed up a day early and bitched that his drive had 3" of snow.
I explained that the forecast had freezing rain coming up and that I did not want to leave him with a skating rink.
The irate AH insisted that I plow, so I did the best job short of sweeping with a broom.
He needed to call a tow truck next day and I stood by without a comment. (think he got the message)

 

[sixdogs]

If there is Snow on the driveway with freezing Rain,wait till Rain stops before plowing,that will help from turning to ice rink.

Agreed. The snow will also plow easier with the rain crust on top. Wait until it's all done and then head out.