High salt prices lead to tasty snowmelting ideas with more snow on the way

January 2, 6:35 AMBaltimore Weather ExaminerJustin Berk

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There might be more than salt melting the snow this winter.

The active start to the winter in much of the nation combined with the poor economy has caused the price of road salt to soar. This has led to novel and somewhat tasty ideas in parts of the country.  In stressful times, you have to admire the ingenuity of the human mind.

My parents live in metro NY and told me about this weeks ago.  So much snow, so early, and their town has used up most of it's winter supply.  Prices of salt usually jump in January and February as communities try to replenish their supplies.  Last year was a hard winter, and that increased pre season demand  The normal range for $30-$50 a ton of salt has jumped to $60-$120 a ton. So with 2/3 of the winter to go, and already strained budgets, many towns are forced to cut back or become resourceful. 

This morning, I heard the Wall Street Journal Report on WCBS radio (yeah the night signal from NYC makes it to Baltimore).  Check out some of the salt  'mixes' from around the country.

Ohio's Hamilton County: Salt with non toxic ash from coal plants.  It doesn't melt as fast, but the dark color helps to absorb the sun and warm the pavement.  It also adds traction.

Ankeny, Iowa (Des Moines area): Garlic salt was donated by a localspice maker.  There is an aroma, and local vets confirmed that it should be safe to animals.

Washington State Department of Transportation: De-sugared molasses mixed with salt water. It was used on one mountain pass last year, and now in 11 counties.  They expect they saved a lot of money, but no figures confirmed yet.

Some snow today and more on the way

A cold front moving through today has sparked morning flurries and snow showers.  A lucky coating for some, while a warm up with mix in some rain mid day.  It will clear out later, but another day with gusty winds expected.  Today will be a more modest with 20-30mph gusts.

Saturday will be dry, but the next system on Sunday with bring in some rain.  The outlook for next week still has a southern storm appraoching on Tuesday and Wednesday.  This is part of that pattern change.  I will spend more time on this over the weekend.

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