Up to four inches of snow is possible throughout the Shenandoah Valley on Monday, likely starting before sunrise, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for Monday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The highest totals are expected along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and from Harrisonburg to the south, including Albemarle, Nelson and Augusta counties, and in higher elevations in counties of Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge and Highland.
Due to subfreezing temperatures, snow is likely to easily cover roadways, leading to slippery travel.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is recommending drivers postpone travel until temperatures rise and conditions improve. Temperatures are not expected to reach above freezing until Wednesday, with a high of 46 degrees; the wind chill will make it feel 10 degrees colder.
Extra caution should be exercised on elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses, which freeze first.
VDOT will plow and treat roadways as needed in this order:
- interstate highway system
- primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599)
- major secondary roads (numbered 600 and up) with key infrastructure or high-traffic volumes
- Other secondary roads and subdivision streets
For updated traffic alerts and travel information, dial 511 or visit the 511 Virginia website.
Update: Monday, 11:25 a.m. Snow began falling in the pre-dawn hours Monday and is expected to continue through the afternoon. Up to four inches of accumulation is possible, mostly in the central and southern part of the Shenandoah Valley.
VDOT advises motorists to postpone travel if possible until temperatures rise and conditions improve.
Icing is a significant concern Monday night and Tuesday morning, when temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing. Wet or slushy roadways may refreeze and create dangerous driving conditions. Bridges, overpasses and untreated surfaces are most at risk.
Here are the conditions as of 11 a.m. Monday in the 11-county VDOT Staunton District:
- Interstate 81: Minor conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta and Rockingham counties. Clear conditions in Shenandoah and Frederick counties.
- Interstate 64: Moderate conditions in Alleghany County. Minor conditions in Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
- Interstate 66: Clear conditions in Warren County.
- Primary Roads: Moderate conditions in Alleghany and Bath counties. Minor conditions in Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham and Page counties. Clear conditions in Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties.
- Secondary Roads: Moderate conditions in Alleghany and Bath counties. Minor conditions in Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham and Page counties. Clear conditions in Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties.
Update: Monday, 2:05 p.m. Air and road temperatures are expected to drop overnight and into the morning hours, causing snow on roadways to freeze, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Refreeze will also occur where snow and ice melt on the pavement and then freeze again.
Crews will continue to treat state-maintained roads with salt and sand.
If travel is absolutely necessary, VDOT recommends that drivers use extreme caution.
Check roadway conditions by using VDOT’s free 511 mobile app.
Update: Monday, 3:48 p.m. Virginia State Police is urging motorists to closely monitor road conditions and follow guidance from VDOT before traveling.
Drivers are encouraged to check real-time road conditions at 511.vdot.virginia.gov and to remain alert for VDOT crews actively working to clear roadways.
Motorists should give snowplows and VDOT trucks ample space to safely perform their duties.
Since midnight (Monday, Virginia State Police troopers have responded to a total of 155 crashes statewide. Of those crashes, 11 resulted in injuries. No fatalities have been reported. These figures reflect only incidents investigated by Virginia State Police.
Breakdown by VSP division:
- Division 1 (Richmond/Central Virginia): 15 crashes, two reported injuries.
- Division 2 (Culpeper – Winchester to Stafford): 6 crashes, none with injuries.
- Division 3 (Appomattox – Central/Western Virginia): 24 crashes, one reported injury.
- Division 4 (Wytheville – Southwest Virginia): 31 crashes, two with injuries.
- Division 5 (Chesapeake – Hampton Roads): 23 crashes, three with injuries.
- Division 6 (Salem – Roanoke Area): 45 crashes, one reported injury.
- Division 7 (Fairfax – Northern Virginia): 11 crashes, two reported injuries.
Update: Monday, 8:00 p.m. Since midnight Monday, Virginia State Police troopers have responded to a total of 290 crashes statewide.
Of those crashes, 20 resulted in injuries.
No fatalities have been reported.
These figures reflect only incidents investigated by Virginia State Police.
Breakdown by VSP division:
- Division 1 (Richmond/Central Virginia): 68 crashes, 6 reported injuries.
- Division 2 (Culpeper – Winchester to Stafford): 9 crashes, none with injuries.
- Division 3 (Appomattox – Central/Western Virginia): 51 crashes, two reported injuries.
- Division 4 (Wytheville – Southwest Virginia): 43 crashes, three with injuries.
- Division 5 (Chesapeake – Hampton Roads): 36 crashes, three with injuries.
- Division 6 (Salem – Roanoke Area): 66 crashes, three reported injuries.
- Division 7 (Fairfax – Northern Virginia): 17 crashes, three reported injuries.
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Crystal Graham
