A multiple vehicle crash Monday morning as snow arrived on Monterey Mountain serves as a reminder about the changes in weather over short distances across our region
Putnam County EMA Director Brandon Smith said Monterey Mountain usually presents challenges, especially on marginal forecast days, where it may or may not snow. Smith said dangers tend to arise due to the drastic difference in elevation.
“A lot of folks will be driving in clear blue skies, or at least in rainy conditions, and then as you climb the Monterey mountain from Cookeville, that sudden 700 feet of elevation change can really wreak havoc with the weather,” Smith said.
Smith said there is about a five-degree drop in temperature for every 1,000 feet increase in elevation. Smith said being aware of road conditions can make a difference.
“In many cases, they are not aware of how much the conditions have changed as they are driving through them,” Smith said. “Most cases it’s because they didn’t take their time and slow down, but sometimes it’s just happenstance. They just hit the right spot at the wrong time.”
Smith said there is an estimated 1,300 feet difference in elevation from one side of the county to the other. Smith said exits 294 and 295 are the sweet spots where most winter-related crashes take place on I-40 in Putnam County. Smith said his best advice is to slow down if you are driving in winter conditions.
“Move over to the right-hand lane and take your time to move through there at a good, safe pace, where you can stop if something happens in front of you, you can get control of your vehicle if you start to slide, but you are still moving along at a fast enough pace that vehicles don’t run up behind you all of a sudden,” Smith said.
Smith said if you are sliding, take your foot off the accelerator and turn in the direction that you are sliding and try to regain control as much as you can. Smith said when driving on ice, you are not going to get control back as quickly as you would like, so driving at slower speeds through higher impact areas will be your best friend.
