With an average of over 100 days of below-freezing temperatures and 50 inches of annual snowfall, keeping the campus community safe during the colder months is no easy task. Fortunately, the Grounds team within the Division of Facilities Planning & Management is hard at work to ensure that students, employees and visitors can navigate the winter chill.
Looking for information on accessibility? Check out the Disability Resource Guide related to snow removal.
If you believe part of campus has been missed during snow removal, please contact Physical Plant Customer Service.
By the numbers
3 a.m. – Typical time snow removal begins. If a larger storm or ice is expected, it may begin earlier. Read more on timing below!
1″ – Predicted amount of snowfall where Grounds plans on a “full deployment” of removal services.
<15° – Temperature below which salt is less effective. Once temperatures fall below this point, sand is used more often to improve traction.
Timing
- Early start: Operations typically begin around 3 a.m., with possible adjustments earlier for large storms or ice events.
- Morning priorities: At 7 a.m., in coordination with Transportation Services, the clearing of parking areas typically pauses (on weekdays) to allow for on-campus parking, while drive lanes and salt/sand applications continue throughout the day. The clearing of parking areas resumes the next morning (after midnight).
- Post-storm cleanup: Extended efforts span 2-3 days depending on the severity of the storm, focusing on high-priority areas and removing snow piles.
- De-icing: Pre-storm brine applications may be used during optimal conditions to limit ice formation. Limited salt is applied when it is most effective to help melt ice while sand is applied to aid in traction. Staff are certified in the most effective and sustainable salt application practices.
This schedule balances rapid response to storms with sustainable practices to maintain safe pathways and roadways.
Where is snow/ice removed?
In collaboration with campus partners, FP&M crews manage:
- 14.6 miles of roads
- 78 parking lots
- 17 parking structures
- 60 miles of sidewalks
- 72 bus stops
Excluded areas: Some low-traffic staircases, sidewalks and parking areas are excluded to optimize resources and limit salt use.
Teamwork: Snow and ice removal is a collaborative effort, with various campus partners playing key roles. This includes departments within FP&M: Physical Plant Services (Grounds, Custodial, Waste & Recycling and Campus Services) and Transportation Services. It also includes other campus partners: Wisconsin Union, Rec Well, Athletics, Housing, Building Managers, and UW Health. This collective effort ensures efficient and timely removal across the campus.
There are also roads and sidewalks near campus where snow and ice removal are managed by other organizations, including UW Health, the City of Madison, the Village of Shorewood Hills and the Wisconsin Historical Society.
For instance, did you know the State Street Mall, connecting the west end of State Street to N Park Street, is maintained by the City of Madison?
Planning ahead
Planning for the upcoming winter begins in August, well before the first snowflakes fly. Supplies are stocked early, and equipment is inspected and serviced to make sure crews are able to respond quickly and efficiently when winter weather arrives.
FP&M collaborates closely with the UW-Madison Police Department, the Office of Strategic Communication and other campus partners throughout the year to ensure readiness and effectively communicate weather-related updates.
Materials and equipment
The primary goal for snow removal is to make campus safe for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Crews can often keep surfaces clear using only physical or mechanical snow removal. However, there are times when crews need to apply materials to help in this process. Selection of materials is dependent upon ground temperature, anticipated time before removal and future weather predictions.
- Liquid brine made with up to 30% recycled brine from campus water softeners helps prevent ice formation. Staff evaluates if and when it would be effective to apply the solution to prevent snow and ice adhesion and enhance mechanical removal.
- Sand is used alone or mixed with salt to improve traction, especially when temperatures drop below 15°, when salt becomes less effective.
- Salt is applied by certified staff using minimal amounts to maintain safety. Focus is placed on mechanical removal to reduce salt dependency, with application limited to essential areas, avoiding sensitive surfaces like parking ramps and environmentally protected zones.
- Equipment used during the snow and ice removal process includes plows, broom trucks, loaders, dump trucks, snow blowers, spreaders and shovels.
This approach ensures effective treatment while prioritizing sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.
Focus on sustainability
UW-Madison balances safety with environmental stewardship by:
- Minimizing salt use: Trained staff apply only essential amounts, avoiding sensitive areas like the Lakeshore Path and parking ramps.
- Using recycled materials: Liquid brine includes up to 30% recycled brine from campus water softeners.
- Prioritizing mechanical removal: Plowing/shoveling/snow blowing is emphasized to reduce reliance on chemical treatments.
- Applying selectively: Sand and salt are used strategically based on weather conditions to limit runoff and waste.
These efforts ensure effective snow and ice management with minimal environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do plans change on the weekend or holidays?
Snow and ice removal does continue over the weekend; however, it is managed with a reduced team, which may impact response times. Priority areas, such as roads, main walkways and parking lots, are addressed first, and additional resources are mobilized as needed to ensure safety throughout campus. We appreciate your understanding as we work to maintain a safe environment during weekends and holidays.
How do you minimize salt use?
Who do I contact if part of campus was missed during snow/ice removal?
Please contact Physical Plant Customer Service.
Who do I contact if if I feel too much salt was used?
Occasionally, salt distribution equipment may malfunction, causing more salt and/or sand to be applied. Staff return to clean up extra materials, but please contact Physical Plant Customer Service if you would like to report a spot you feel may have been missed.