Can temperature predict road salt usage? This study explores the relationship between winter air temperatures and the annual amount of salt used for road maintenance. It proposes a method for estimating salt usage using readily available air temperature data from meteorological stations. The study reveals that warmer weather in November and March, coupled with colder weather in December, January, and February, reduces the need for salting. The warmer mid-winter months, leading to slippery conditions, increase salt consumption. Temperature alone explains approximately 60% of the annual variation in salt use. These findings suggest that air temperature serves as a reliable indicator for predicting salting needs, offering a practical approach for road maintenance planning. This can help municipalities budget for winter road maintenance effectively.
Published in Meteorological Applications, this research aligns with the journal's focus on applying meteorological data to practical problems. The study's estimation of road salt usage based on winter air temperature falls within the journal's scope of applied meteorology.