We have 6” of snow with more on the way. It will likely turn to sleet and possible freezing rain per the forecast. I have a nice walk behind snowblower I’ve used once. I have a sizable driveway that runs down to the shop.
Should I let the snow get a bit deeper and blow it before the ice or just shovel the walks and standby?

I'd let the ice freeze on top of the snow to form a crust and do it later otherwise you'll have an ice glazed driveway with no or little snow. If it was going to be only rain coming after the snow I'd do the snow first and then the rain would just run off.

Might want to stay ahead of the game. If you get deep wet heavy snow it might be to much for your snowblower.

I have a lot of hours behind a snowblower as I grew up in the Upper Midwest, lived in Alaska for 5 years, and lived in Canada for 2 years.

Put me in the keep ahead of it crowd, and use a broadcast spreader to spread salt. Especially if you have a single stage snowblower which struggles with wet, heavy snow.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Put me in the keep ahead of it crowd, and use a broadcast spreader to spread salt. Especially if you have a single stage snowblower which struggles with wet, heavy snow.

I'm with him ^^^^^

The freezing rain probably won't just freeze atop the snow and form a crust. It'll probably soak into the snow, making it heavier and much more difficult to move.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Put me in the keep ahead of it crowd, and use a broadcast spreader to spread salt. Especially if you have a single stage snowblower which struggles with wet, heavy snow.

I'm with him ^^^^^

The freezing rain probably won't just freeze atop the snow and form a crust. It'll probably soak into the snow, making it heavier and much more difficult to move.

What they said.

Dry powdery snow, doesn't matter much.

Heavy wet snow, don't let it build up.

I stay up on it, even snowblowing while it's still snowing if it's not gonna let up for a while. A lot of people around here wait until it stops and then kill themselves trying to dig out.

Well, how is it going????
We here in Central KY got about 8” or so so far.
I went and shoveled the walk, drive, and my elderly neighbors walk and drive.
Sure wish I had a snow blower!

Now, the ice is supposed to start anytime! Supposed to get up to 3/4” of ice.

Work is going to be grand at 0700!!!!

Here in St Louis we started with about 1" of sleet. Then a mix of snow & sleet. The total so far is 4-5".

We had a break of about 3 hours when I did my snow blowing, and now, it started snowing again at 7pm and we expect another 3-5" of snow.

All this is heading your way Black & Jed.

BTW Black, invest in a snow blower but only use the pure gas. Not that ethanol blend.

When I lived in the North East there are many variables starting with how big/powerful is your snow blower. It was always easier to deal with a crust over softer snow than an inch and a half of ice. If it’s already heavy wet snow then stay on top of it. My last snowblower was 11hp and would blow through everything I threw at it. The answer to your question is it depends.