Spring Snowstorm Hits Oakdale

Oakdale crews were hoping to be out sweeping streets.

Instead, Public Works was out salting roads at 5:30 a.m. Thursday morning, and began clearing major streets at about 8:30 a.m., according to Jim Romanik, streets superintendent.

“All part of the game, I guess,” he said.

Accumulation Thursday could reach five inches or so, according to the National Weather Service, and traffic was slowed across the city as the spring snowstorm continued in Oakdale.

Aside from the fact that it’s April, the snowstorm was a “pretty minor event,” Romanik said. Crews got the salt down as the rain turned to sleet early Thursday morning “so we could keep things from icing up too bad,” he said.

The full fleet was expected to be sent out at 10 a.m., and should have things wrapped up later Thursday afternoon, Romanik said.

“Hopefully we don’t get too much more snow tonight,” he said.

A rain-snow mix was in the forecast for Thursday night, becoming all snow after 8 p.m. Snow was expected to continue Friday, though less intense than Thursday, with amounts totaling less than an inch, according to the National Weather Service.

Lightning flashed over Oakdale skies Thursday morning, and others on Oakdale Patch’s Facebook page reported hearing thunder, as well.

While initial reports said there could be up to 10 inches of snow in Oakdale Thursday and Friday, the system moved a bit, “which we’re thankful for,” Romanik said.

He had heard reports of a few fender benders around town.

If you have photos of the snow, upload them to this post. Use the “Upload Photos and Videos” button.

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