Major Winter Storm Heads For Area Again – Storm Watch Issued (Updated 8:30 PM Friday)

Central Virginia Blue Ridge

Another major winter storm is headed for the Blue Ridge and preparations are now underway for the second storm since the new year. CBS19 Meteorologist AJ Willy posted their estimations of snowfall by Monday morning in the map above and Facebook post below.

WINTER STORM WARNING
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
828 PM EST Fri Jan 14 2022

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.”

From Virginia State Police:
“As many are making plans now for what they’ll do over the long weekend, the Virginia State Police is advising everyone to be weather aware and factor in how the pending winter storm can/will impact those travel plans.

As of today, the weather forecasts have all regions of Virginia being affected by varying combinations of precipitation starting late Saturday, Jan. 15, and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 16. This winter storm system is also expected to impact much of the East Coast, especially along the I-95 corridor – for those who may be traveling out of or returning to Virginia over the weekend.

For the latest on this weather system and to help Virginians plan ahead, please visit any one of the following National Weather Service websites:

• https://weather.gov/ covers the US
• https://weather.gov/akq Central and Southeast VA
• https://weather.gov/lwx Northern VA and Northern Mountains
• https://weather.gov/rnk Western VA

The Virginia State Police is currently preparing for this latest round of winter weather and will have all available troopers on patrol in order to respond as quickly as possible to traffic crashes, emergencies and disabled motorists.

VSP is advising folks to delay/avoid travel during the storm. But, If you must travel, then please take these safety tips into consideration:
– Know Before You Go! Before heading out, check Virginia road conditions at www.511virginia.org or download the VDOT 511 app.
– Clear ALL snow and ice from the roof, trunk, hood and windows of your vehicle – car, SUV, minivan, pickup truck, commercial vehicle – before you travel.
– Drive for conditions – slow your speed and increase your traveling distance between the vehicle ahead of you. Always buckle up. Avoid distractions – put down the phone.
– Use your headlights – in rain AND snow. Virginia law requires headlights on when your wipers are active.
– Do not call 911 or #77 for road conditions. Please leave these emergency lines open for emergencies only.
– Bring with you snacks, water, cell phone charger, warm blanket(s), and any medications you might need.
– Be sure your vehicle has a fuel tank of gas, and is in good working condition.

Corinne N. Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police”

From VDOT Culpeper Division:

“MAKE PREPARATIONS NOW FOR FORECAST WINTER WEATHER

Another major winter storm expected to impact travel across Va. beginning Sunday morning

CULPEPER — Crews in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Culpeper District are closely monitoring weather forecasts and preparing for another major winter storm that is expected to arrive early Sunday and drop a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain on Piedmont Virginia through the day. Similar conditions are expected across most of the Commonwealth.

Crews are pretreating Interstate 64, I-66 and major highways across the district today with a brine solution that will help melt precipitation as it begins. Drivers across Virginia will see similar pretreatment all day today and should give the brine trucks and escort vehicles plenty of room to work.

VDOT urges the public to complete preparations for the storm today and tomorrow so they do not have to travel during the storm. For those who must travel during winter weather, be prepared with essential items, including:

• Keep at last a half-tank of fuel in the vehicle

• Keep a blanket in the vehicle 

• Keep winter clothing in the vehicle: Winter coat, heavy shoes or boots, gloves and a hat

• A snow shovel and a bag of sand or cat litter

• Jumper cables, a flashlight and batteries, ice scraper, phone charger and map (in case your phone battery goes dead)

• Non-perishable snacks and water 

Those who must be on the road during the storm should reduce speed, increase following distance and use VDOT’s free 511 tools to find out about road conditions along the route. 

VDOT crews will report to work Sunday morning to complete preparations. Once precipitation begins falling, VDOT snowplow operators and contract crews will treat roads with salt and sand to aid melting and improve traction. If snow accumulates to about two inches, the plows will push the snow off the roadways. Crews will work around the clock to clear roads, beginning with interstates and primary highways, then shifting to secondary roads and neighborhoods once the main roads are passable. 

VDOT’s Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and take reports of roadway hazards. Call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or contact us online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.

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 the district’s snow emergency webpage.

The Culpeper District includes the counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock.”

I’ll be updating this site all weekend long throughout the storm, more updates to follow.
Tommy