LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Metro Louisville is ready for snow.

That's the word from the Metro Snow Team, which began treating the city's 110 snow routes Wednesday afternoon. Each route is anywhere from 11 to 45 miles long.

The National Weather Service's winter weather advisory is set to remain in effect from 3 p.m. eastern Wednesday until 1 a.m. eastern on Thursday. The snow was expected to begin falling around 2 p.m. in some areas, with up to 1 to 3 inches expected. 

For the latest on the WDRB Weather Blog, CLICK HERE.

The snow team will initially treat the roads with salt only, but will add a covering of calcium chloride later to "increase efficacy during colder surface temperatures," according to a news release. 

A spokesperson with KYTC says dry roads are sometimes also treated with brine before the salt.

According to KYTC, the state began the 2020-2021 season with 35-thousand tons of salt. There is also a state-wide reserve of salt in the mega cavern.

"The team will work the rest of the day and through the night to repeat this process and keep roadways as safe as possible," the news release states. 

Salvador Melendez with Metro Public Works says this snow season things are a bit more challenging because of the pandemic. 

"It's a different year. Typically, the team is a larger team but we're dealing with the effects of COVID-19," said Melendez. "We've had to adjust to that and the maintenance during these events to the roadways has now suffered."

Fewer roads cleared could mean more accidents. 

According to Kentucky State Police, over 2,750 weather related collisions have already been reported since January 1st. 338 snow related collisions have been reported, along with 98 other collisions involving sleet, hail and freezing rain.

IMAGES | Snow falls across Kentuckiana

Officials say the best way to avoid weather related collisions would be to stay home, but Stephanie Caros with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says she knows that's not always possible.

For those that do head out on the roads, Caros says to give road crews space to work.

"Take it slow, give yourself some extra time, take your speed down, give yourself some extra room between you and the car in front of you," said Caros.

Temperatures are predicted to get down to freezing by 8 p.m. and dip into the 20s Wednesday night. Thursday's temperatures are expected to remain in the teens.

To stay up-to-date on the Snow Team's progress, CLICK HERE.

For tips on how to drive safely in cold weather, CLICK HERE.

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