By Mark Abrams

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (CBS) — The forecast of snow for tonight and early this weekend is spurring PennDOT crews in the region to action, as they prepare to battle the first winter “event” of 2012.

PennDOT spokesman Gene Blaum says work began early this morning to ready the highways for the flakes.

“We are taking the steps today to put the salt-brine solution down on our state highways throughout the five-county region,” he tells KYW Newsradio. “Especially with the temperatures being as cold as they are, we want to get that application, get that salt residue on the roadway in anticipation of the potential winter weather.”

Blaum says the salt-brine solution prevents the first hour or so of snowfall from sticking to the road surface. He says crews will be then take to the roads, spreading salt to keep them passable.

And Blaum says crews working in the far northern and western suburbs, equipped with plows, also will be prepared should the snow begin accumulating.

Blaum says PennDOT managers also are keeping an eye on the forecast for Friday night into Saturday morning and preparing for a storm that is forecast to bring snow and sleet, eventually changing over to rain by later in the day on Saturday.

Stay tuned to CBSPhilly.com, CBS-3, and KYW Newsradio 1060 for all the latest information about schools, roads, traffic and transit, and community events that may be affected by the coming winter weather!

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