With winter weather just around the corner, the Missouri Department of Transportation will hold its annual winter operations drill on Thursday. Motorists may notice an increased number of MoDOT vehicles on state routes during the drill, which will begin at 8 a.m. in rural areas and 9 a.m. in urban areas.

The exercise should be completed by 3 p.m.

With turnover rates and many positions still open, driver training on this day is more critical than ever.

MoDOT has approximately 2,400 snowplow operators across the state involved in clearing the roads and bridges when winter weather hits.

During the drill, MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will activate, and all employees involved in winter operations will be deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested.