Weather Report

It's fierce, relentless and can chew through two snow-covered lanes at once. Winter, meet the Tow Plow. The Ohio Department of Transportation turned to the monstrous machine, which is towed behind a plow truck, to help keep up with the more than 18 feet of snow that fell on Ashtabula County last winter. This year, ODOT will also use the machine in District 12, which covers Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties, to help keep Lake County's portion of I-90 clear. Here are some of the numbers behind ODOT's annual battle on the frontlines of the snowbelt.

80,000

Amount of salt ODOT used in District 12 last winter, in tons

280 GALLONS

The amount of salt brine or calcium the Tow Plow can carry

87

Number of vehicles in ODOT's District 12 snowplow fleet

400

Number of lane miles ODOT is responsible for in Lake County

2,644

Number of lane miles ODOT is responsible for in District 12

729,000 tons of salt

Amount ODOT used in all of Ohio last winter

81,000

Cost of one Tow Plow

26 FEET

Length of Tow Plow

217 INCHES

Of snow fell on Ashtabula County last winter.

65 INCHES

Of snow Lake County receives during an average winter

The Tow Plow's tank holds 10 TONS of salt

A shift is 12 HOURS long for ODOT District 12 plow drivers during the worst winter storms.