HASTINGS, Neb. – The Hastings Streets Department is preparing its crews for the third snowfall of the year which is expected to dump more than three inches in the Central Nebraska area, including well below zero-degree wind chills for the next three days.

The recipe for unique weather conditions will see Hastings snow crews use some new methods and de-icing products to make the roads as safe as possible.

"This is the first time that it looks like we'll be moving into residential," said Hastings Public Works Lead Engineer Steve Riehle. "It's a judgment call to move into residentials, we think we can make the streets safer and clear that snow."

Just over an inch of snow fell in Hastings overnight, and crews are already working salting and sanding roads in anticipation of 3-5 more inches of snow overnight into Tuesday.

The Hastings Streets Department and over two dozen snow removal vehicles will be moving into residential areas for the first time in three snows, due to several factors, according to Riehle.

"We think it's a combination of snow build-up from the previous storms, and then we think this one is going to push us over five inches, which is quite a bit of snow," said Riehle. "It gets hard for some vehicles to drive through that, so we'll that snow off of there, that's our job." 

The new product the city has been experimenting with this winter season is called Black Magic, a new type of salt from BlackStrap Inc. that can melt snow and ice at a lower temperature than salt and sand can.

According to Riehle, the sand/salt combo the city uses can melt snow/ice at a higher temperature than 15 degrees. The Black Magic salt can melt snow or ice anywhere from -5 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Riehle says the first used the Black Magic salt in concentrated problem street areas during the first snowfall in December, and they noticed a significant melting difference compared to salt and sand.

However, the Black Magic product costs three times more than regular salt and sand, so only select areas will receive the special mixture.

The Streets Department's plan is for snow crews to first clear snow emergency routes and arterial streets, then they will move into residential areas to clear off side streets.

According to a city news release, crews will begin plowing residential streets after snow is done falling, and emergency snow routes are fully plowed. 

Hastings residents are encouraged to call the Hastings Streets Department with any snow removal concerns at 402-461-2341.

Hastings remains in a snow emergency that is in effect now until Wednesday at noon.

Wind chills are projected to be at least -20 degrees in much of Central Nebraska from now until midday on Wednesday.