The winter weather predicted for the Shenandoah Valley arrived overnight, with two to four inches of snow blanketing the region.
An accident on Interstate 81 near the Weyers Cave exit this morning led to traffic delays of approximately 90 minutes, according to travelers. The accident involved a tractor trailer that jackknifed due to the slippery roadway.
Snow began falling early Friday morning creating hazardous travel conditions, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Moderate conditions were reported in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Rockbridge and Shenandoah counties.
VDOT recommends that drivers postpone travel if possible until snow tapers off and conditions improve.
Those who must travel should drive slowly and cautiously. Be especially careful on elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses, which freeze first.
VDOT pre-treated interstates and other major routes on Thursday. Employees and contractors of the VDOT Staunton District are plowing and treating roadways as needed and will continue snow-removal operations until conditions are safe for travel.
For updated traffic alerts and travel information, dial 511.
Updated, 10:35 a.m. Virginia State Police responded to three accidents on Interstate 95 southbound near exit 74C/Broad Street at approximately 9:15 a.m. this morning.
Ten vehicles were involved in the crashes, including a tractor trailer that jack-knifed across all lanes of travel, and the roadway is expected to be closed for an extended period of time.
Four people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Updated, 11:45 a.m. Snow has tapered off in most areas of the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands, and conditions are steadily improving as of mid-day Friday.
However, the Virginia Department of Transportation still advises drivers use caution.
Plows and salt spreaders continue working to make all state-maintained roads safe for travel.
Snowfall totals range from a trace to about three inches, with the highest accumulation in the southern part of the region.
Interstate highways and primary roads in the Staunton district are in minor condition; secondary roads are in minor to moderate condition, according to VDOT.
Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing Friday night into early Saturday morning, so wet roadways could refreeze. Elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses are especially prone to refreezing.
Updated, 11:59 a.m. Since midnight, Virginia State Police reports a total of 141 crashes statewide; twenty have resulted in injuries. There have been no fatalities.
- Div. 1 (Richmond area/Central Virginia): 29 crashes, seven with injuries, 24 disabled vehicles
- Div. 2 (Culpeper Division – Winchester to Stafford): 15 crashes, four with injuries
- Div. 3 (Appomattox Division – central/western Va.): 30 crashes, two with injuries
- Div.4 (Wytheville Division – SW Va.): 13 crashes, two with injuries
- Div. 5 (Chesapeake Division – Hampton Roads): 12 crashes, one with injury
- Div. 6 (Salem Division/Roanoke Area): no report
- Div. 7 (Fairfax Division/NOVA): 10 crashes, two with injuries
Updated, 4:02 p.m. VDOT trucks are working to clear the roads and prevent refreezing. Virginia State Police is asking drivers to give trucks plenty of room on the road.
Since midnight, Virginia State Police has investigated a total of 214 crashes statewide; 29 have resulted in injuries.
There have been no fatalities that Virginia State Police has managed.
- Div. 1 (Richmond area/Central Virginia): 44 total crashes, 12 with injuries, 32 total disabled vehicles
- Div. 2 (Culpeper Division – Winchester to Stafford): 23 crashes, four with injuries
- Div. 3 (Appomattox Division – central/western Va.): 40 crashes, two with injuries
- Div.4 (Wytheville Division – SW Va.): 21 crashes, four with injuries
- Div. 5 (Chesapeake Division – Hampton Roads): 26 crashes, two with injury
- Div. 6 (Salem Division/Roanoke Area): Updated stats not sent
- Div. 7 (Fairfax Division/NOVA): 15 crashes, three with injuries
Related stories
- Residents of the Shenandoah Valley likely to wake up to snow on Friday
- Friday commute in Virginia may be slippery with snow, sleet, freezing rain in the forecast
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Crystal Graham
