As snow looms across the country, snowplow driver shortage could result in major delays

Multiple states may face major travel delays and roadway chaos in the coming weeks as a snowplow driver shortage may exacerbate the U.S. snowstorm season officially underway.

Northern U.S. states ranging from Washington to Pennsylvania have struggled to fill driver spots in recent months, part of a wider employment crisis that has seen numerous critical industries unable to recruit workers. 

Snowstorms were forecasted in numerous states this weekend, with states as far south as Nevada and New Mexico expected to see at least some winter weather. 

Snowplow positions tend to require commercial drivers’ licenses, making those spots harder to fill. Authorities, meanwhile, at times struggle to pitch jobs to workers in which they will have “to be out there in the worst conditions,” Rick Nelson with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials told the Associated Press.

Snow pileups were reported in numerous states going into the weekend, including Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin.