As the temperature drops, snowplow operators and tire shops become beasy

Belgrade, Montana – People may feel pressured to get ready for the weather to change when snow is predicted. Some people prepare well in advance, while others wait until the last minute to prepare, such as installing snow tires on our cars.

Interwest Tire Factory in Belgrade is managed by Will Anderson. Every year in October, when the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, he claims, they witness a rise.

“And that’s when everyone comes in all at once and unfortunately, we can’t get to everyone all at once,” said Anderson.

It’s all hands on deck and there’s no time to waste as you walk through the Interwest store.

“Right now, we’re all doing overtime,” said Anderson. “We work 60 hours a week and stay here for lunch.”

According to Anderson, the shop averages about 100 cars a day.

“We’re having a hard time trying to keep up with that,” said Anderson. “We’ve started scheduling tire work and we usually don’t do that. “We’re scheduling for over a week out.”

The plow drivers who start their days at 3 AM to make sure the streets are drivable are just as crucial as the individuals who frequently delay and depend on tire shops to keep them safe on the highways.

Plow driver Curtis Wellock works for the city of Bozeman. He had been clearing snow from the streets for a long time.

“You don’t have a choice to be unprepared in this job, “said Wellock. “We’re always checking the weather seeing what it’s doing hour to hour day by day.”

He claimed that although there are some difficulties, he takes satisfaction in his work.

“People that leave their drift boats and RVs on the side of the road, it’s just another obstacle, so if that stuff could get changed and people would be more aware it would be beneficial,” said Wellock.

John VanDelinder, the street supervisor, is in agreement. He wishes to emphasize the need for caution.

Drive cautiously, take your time, and stay on the big roadways where there is sand and it has been plowed because the first storm can make conditions the slickest.