VDOT issues travel alerts for Sunday snowstorm: Impacts to be felt for several days with cold

VDOT is prepping on both sides of the Blue Ridge for anywhere between one and six inches of snow on Sunday, with a winter storm expected to hit the area early Sunday morning.

Complicating matters with this latest in a line of snowstorms is the near-term weather forecast, which has temperatures well below freezing for the next several days, meaning driving will remain hazardous into next week.

Travelers should remember that salt is less effective on roads once temperatures dip below 20 degrees. Roads that have been plowed and/or treated may remain icy.

VDOT is advising folks to pay close attention to weather forecasts and road condition reports since conditions may vary greatly within a relatively short distance, especially to the north and west, where more snow and colder temperatures are forecast.

Be particularly alert for freezing conditions on bridges, overpasses and roads at higher elevations like Interstate 64 and U.S. 250 crossing Afton Mountain from Waynesboro into Albemarle County, U.S. 33 crossing Swift Run Gap in Greene County, U.S. 211 at Thornton Gap and U.S. 522 at Chester Gap in Rappahannock County, and I-66 at Markham in Fauquier County.

Road-clearing priorities

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• The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are our first priority.
• Primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow.
• Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.

Keep up to date

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If you are traveling this weekend, visit 511.vdot.virginia.gov, call 511 or check the 511 Virginia mobile app for up-to-date information on road and traffic conditions.

Remember to check conditions along your entire travel route as conditions may change in other regions of the state.

VDOT statewide X feeds can be found at @VaDOT. The nine districts can be found at: Hampton Roads @VaDOTHR; Richmond @VaDOTRVA; Northern Virginia @VaDOTNOVA; Fredericksburg @VaDOTFred; Culpeper @VaDOTCulp; Lynchburg @VaDOTLynchburg; Bristol @VaDOTBristol; Salem @VaDOTSalem; and Staunton @VaDOTStaunton.