This lesson will introduce National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters to the benefits of pre-season coordination in understanding the critical needs of decision-makers, particularly the state and local Departments of Transportation (DOTs). The strategies used by DOTs to mitigate road impacts during the winter and how the NWS can best support their needs are also discussed. Learners will gain insight into the common methods of collaboration between the NWS and DOT, and the different types of winter weather events in which they work together. Learners will also practice communicating winter weather forecast information that best support the concerns of DOT, including working through a simulation to see the effects of their communication choices on DOT decisions.