Final report: Wednesday, 10:11 p.m. Following an additional light covering of snow after sundown, the December 16 winter weather event is departing the Shenandoah Valley. Travel is not advised in the region. Roads are covered with ice or snow or have patches of snow, ice and slush.
For winter events, VDOT first plows interstates, primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high traffic volumes. Secondary and subdivision streets will be treated in the event of a multi-day storm, but crews will focus efforts on roads that are traveled most.
Virginia Department of Transportation crews and contractors will be out tonight plowing and treating roads.
Here are the road conditions as of 9:30 p.m. in the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District:
- Interstate 64 – Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
- Interstate 66 – Moderate conditions in Warren County
- Interstate 81 – Moderate conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Frederick counties.
- Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
- Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
Third report: Wednesday, 4:45 p.m. Crews in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Culpeper District will remain on duty overnight Wednesday to continue treating roads as a winter storm dumped a mixed bag of precipitation along the Route 29 corridor.
Mostly snow has fallen in the northwest portion of the district (Culpeper, Fauquier and Rappahannock counties) and in areas of higher elevation while Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison and Orange counties received a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain.
As of 4 p.m., road conditions vary widely by location. Motorists are encouraged to use VDOT’s free 511 tools to check road conditions.
As the storm moves out the area, temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing overnight Wednesday. Any moisture left on the road will likely refreeze. Downed trees and utility lines are also a concern due to the amount of accumulated ice.
Motorists are encouraged to delay travel until temperatures rise above freezing Thursday morning. Drivers who must travel late Wednesday and early Thursday may encounter patches of ice on the road surface. Motorists should plan extra travel time and drive for the conditions by reducing speed.
As road conditions on the interstates and primary routes improve, crews will transition to working on secondary roads and neighborhood streets.
Additional information about winter-weather preparations and response can be found at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. Local updates are posted to Twitter.com/VaDOTCulp and on the district’s snow information webpage.
Second report: Wednesday, 4:21 p.m. A mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain fell throughout the Shenandoah Valley on Wednesday, causing hazardous driving conditions. The Virginia 511 system shows numerous crashes in the region. Travel is not advised in the area. Any wet roadway surfaces are expected to refreeze tonight.
Drivers should be aware that bridges and overpasses freeze first. Locations in higher elevations will have more snow cover and may have blowing or drifting snow later tonight. Roads throughout the Shenandoah Valley have snow, slush and ice covering at least part of the road surface.
For winter events, VDOT first plows interstates, primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high traffic volumes. Secondary and subdivision streets will be treated in the event of a multi-day storm, but crews will focus efforts on roads that are traveled most.
Virginia Department of Transportation crews and contractors will be out tonight plowing and treating roads.
Here are the road conditions as of 3:45 p.m. in the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District:
- Interstate 64 – Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
- Interstate 66 – Moderate conditions in Warren County
- Interstate 81 – Moderate conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Frederick counties.
- Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
- Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
First report: Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. Snow and sleet from a widespread winter storm are affecting travel in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Driving conditions are expected to deteriorate on Wednesday as the wintry mix continues to fall. The Virginia Department of Transportation advises motorists to avoid all but essential travel.
Hundreds of VDOT crews and contractors are plowing and treating roads throughout the 11-county Staunton District. They will continue work around the clock on rotating 12-hour shifts to ensure all roadways are passable.
Here are the road conditions as of 11 a.m. Wednesday in the VDOT Staunton District:
- Interstate 64 – Clear conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
- Interstate 66 – Minor conditions in Warren County.
- Interstate 81 – Moderate conditions in Shenandoah County. Minor conditions in Rockingham and Frederick counties. Clear conditions in Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
- Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Bath, Highland and Shenandoah counties. Minor conditions in Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties. Clear conditions in Alleghany and Rockbridge counties.
- Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Bath, Highland and Shenandoah counties. Minor conditions in Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties. Clear conditions in Alleghany and Rockbridge counties.
For winter weather road conditions go to www.511Virginia.org, look at the orange bar on the top of the page and click on “Text Views” and then click on “Road Condition Table”. Look at the pull down box that lists all jurisdictions. In this box individual counties can be chosen to view.
On the go? Then visit VDOT’s Free Virginia 511 Tools to get your 511 app for android or iOS. Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511.
The VDOT Customer Service Center can be accessed through its mobile friendly website at my.vdot.virginia.gov. Agents are on site 24/7 every day of the year to assist the public. People can also call the VDOT Customer Service Center at 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623).
The Staunton District Snow Page is on the VDOT website under Travel Center Snow Emergency Pages. The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.
The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at www.VirginiaDOT.org.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
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Chris Graham
