New Bedford is preparing for the first winter storm event of the season after experiencing record warmth during the month of December.

Although this has been a fairly warm winter Ron Labelle, Commissioner of the Department of Public Infrastructure says that hasn't stopped them for preparing for tough winter storms.

"We've been preparing since July for winter, going through all of our equipment, all of our plows. About a week ago we had a dress rehearsal where we just said 'plow up' and every vehicle in the city got plowed up and mobilized and made sure that everything was functional and working," said Labelle "so we've actually gone through it once already."

While this is expected to be a fairly mild storm, Labelle says they'll be prepared for whatever mother nature decides to throw our way.

"Ground temperatures are still about 38 degrees, so most of any precipitation will probably be rain we're hoping that's what it's going to be," said Labelle "but we're prepared if it's snow."

Labelle says that even though this is not expected to be a major storm he is advising people to drive carefully as black ice conditions may still occur.

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