With more than a foot of snow possible in the Shenandoah Valley, the Virginia Department of Transportation is busy pre-treating major roadways in advance of the massive storm.
VDOT is recommending residents prepare now as it’s likely that it may not reach all secondary roads and subdivisions for several days.
“This winter storm will shut it all down,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. “This storm will have a variety of dangerous and life-threatening hazards. The combination of freezing rain, ice and heavy snow, followed by a deep freeze, increases the risk of widespread travel shutdowns, extended business and commerce disruptions and interruptions to daily life.
“Parts of the Mid-Atlantic could be buried in more than a foot of snow,” Porter said. “Plow trucks and road crews may struggle to keep up with the heavy snowfall rates. People should be prepared for road and highway closures.”
VDOT will focus on interstates and primary roads making multiple passes until the snowfall tapers off.
“Highway conditions can deteriorate fast in this type of storm. Freezing rain can turn roads, bridges, overpasses and ramps icy in a matter of minutes, increasing the risk of spinouts, pileup crashes and jackknifed trucks,” said Porter.
“Travel will be treacherous, if not impossible.”
“People trying to travel through this storm need to be prepared for the risk of being stuck or stranded in subfreezing temperatures for hours.”
Bitter cold temperatures are also predicted which will extend the time until roads are clear. Drivers may not see bare pavement for many days after the storm begins.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Thomas Kines said there are multiple scenarios for this storm. One scenario would bring 18 inches or more of snow if there is no sleet or freezing rain, However, if there is sleet and freezing rain, then snowfall estimates will likely lessen to six to 12 inches in most areas. In Waynesboro, Kines said eight to 12 inches of snow is possible.
“The snow, at least for the first several hours, should be a dry, fluffy snow, not great for snowball fights but much easier to shovel than a heavy, wet backbreaker snow,” Kines told AFP. “Obviously, if sleet and freezing rain occur, that would put a damper on the fluffy snow idea. This is the kind of snow that if you are sledding in it, your face gets frosty on the way down the hill.”
Winter storm watch issued for Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia
A winter storm watch is in effect for Saturday afternoon through late Sunday night. Heavy snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain is possible. There is a high likelihood of at least five inches of snow, with more than 10 inches possible. The snow may be heavy at times with one to two inches per hour at times on Saturday night.
Ice accumulation is also possible, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind chills will be in the teens and single digits beginning Friday night and lasting through the middle of next week with sub-zero wind chills possible.
Winter storm notebook
- City of Staunton: To make snow removal more efficient, street parking will be prohibited beginning Saturday at noon on Beverley Street (Lewis to Market), New Street (Johnson to Frederick) and Central Avenue (Frederick to Johnson). Free parking is available in the New Street and Johnson Street parking garages beginning on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
- Staunton City Schools: In anticipation of school closings, schools are offering meal bundles for families to pick up on Friday between noon and 2 p.m. at the rear entrance of each school, in the pickup line during dismissal or from 4-6:30 p.m. at Staunton High School.
- City of Waynesboro: The City of Waynesboro has launched a snow removal map to show its progress during a winter storm. The map is available online.
Related stories
- Weather experts offer snow predictions for the Shenandoah Valley, Appalachians
- Experts: More than a foot of snow possible this weekend in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
- Update: Virginia-North Carolina basketball game moved to noon tip time
Support AFP
Share
Crystal Graham
