ROAD CONDITIONS IMPROVE BUT REFREEZE REMAINS A CONCERN

VDOT advises motorists to check 511 before traveling, drive carefully

CULPEPER — (4:01 PM 3.21.18) Crews in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Culpeper District have made significant progress plowing and treating roads in Central Virginia and will remain engaged in snow-removal operations overnight Wednesday.

As of 4 p.m., Interstate 64 in Albemarle and Louisa counties, I-66 in Fauquier County and all primary routes in Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties are reported to be clear. Drivers may encounter some isolated patches of snow or slush on the road surface.

Secondary routes are reported to be in clear to minor condition with patches of snow and slush on the highway.

Crews will continue working 12-hour shifts around the clock to plow secondary roads. VDOT’s goal is to make all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after the snow ends.

Cold temperatures overnight may cause any wet roadways to refreeze. Drivers planning to travel overnight Wednesday or early Thursday morning should plan for extra travel time, drive for the conditions by reducing speed and use VDOT’s free 511 tools to check road conditions along their route.

Additional information about winter-weather preparations and response can be found at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. The National Weather Service provides updated forecasts for the Central Virginia area through its Sterling office. Local updates are also posted to Twitter.com/VaDOTCulpand on the district’s snow information webpage.

SNOW ENDS BUT REFREEZE IS COMING IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

STAUNTON –  (3:45 p.m. – 3.21.18)  Snow is ending in the Shenandoah Valley as late afternoon transitions into evening.  Most interstate and primary roads are in clear to minor condition with many secondary roads in moderate to minor condition.

Tonight Virginia Department of Transportation crews will be on watch for refreezing and will plow and treat roads as needed. Motorists are advised to use extreme caution and be alert for black ice and icy patches.  Seatbelts should always be used by all travelers.

Here are the road conditions as of 3:45 p.m. in the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District:

Interstate 64 – Clear conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.

Interstate 66 – Minor conditions in Warren County.

Interstate 81 – Minor conditions in Shenandoah County. Clear conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Frederick counties.

Primary roads – Moderate condition in Clarke County. Minor conditions in Highland, Augusta, Frederick, Warren counties. Clear conditions in Bath, Alleghany, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Page counties.

Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Bath, Alleghany, Augusta, Shenandoah, Frederick, Warren and Clarke counties.  Minor conditions in Highland, Rockbridge, Rockingham and Page counties.

For winter weather road conditions go to http://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 Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

Road condition definitions:

Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.  Snow tires or chains are necessary.

Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.  Snow tires or chains are advisable.

Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.  Driving with caution is recommended.

MOTORISTS SHOULD BE ALERT TO ICY CONDITIONS TONIGHT/EARLY THURSDAY

LYNCHBURG –  (2:55PM 3.21.18) Motorists should be aware that late tonight/early Thursday roads could be icy across much of Virginia, including those in the Lynchburg District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Snow ended in some locations but rain and/or snow showers could fall before the storm leaves the region. Unfortunately, temperatures around or slightly below freezing could cause surfaces, especially bridges, overpasses and ramps, to refreeze.

VDOT crews will continue to respond to any issues and motorists should anticipate possible icy conditions through early Thursday.

Motorists are encouraged to monitor road conditions using VDOT’s free 511 tools. Additional information about winter-weather preparations and response can be found on VDOT’s website at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. Local updates will be posted to VDOT’s Lynchburg District Twitter account.

VDOT’s Lynchburg District includes the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Nelson, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward.

5 AM Update 3.21.18 : Culpeper District :

CENTRAL VA. ROADS ARE SNOW COVERED AS STORM CONTINUES

VDOT recommends postponing non-essential travel, check road conditions using 511 tools

CULPEPER — Snow is falling across Central Virginia and the Virginia Department of Transportation is reporting most roads are snow-covered and slick this morning. VDOT crews are treating the roads with sand and salt to aid traction and plowing as the snow accumulates. Crews will first focus on clearing interstates and primary highways before shifting to secondary routes.

Interstate 64 in Albemarle and Louisa County is in moderate condition, with snow covering much of the roadway. I-66 in Fauquier County is in minor condition, with patches of snow and slush on the highway.

In Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison and Orange counties all primary and secondary routes are snow-covered and in moderate condition. Greene County is reporting primary routes in minor condition while secondary roads are in moderate condition. To the north, in Fauquier and Rappahannock counties, primary and secondary roads are in minor condition.

With the forecast calling for a mix of sleet and snow in the Central Virginia region to continue through Wednesday evening, VDOT is recommending that motorists consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. If you must travel, be aware that road conditions will vary widely by location. Motorists are advised to use VDOT’s free 511 tools to know road conditions along their routes and at their destination.

Updated 4:42 AM 3.21.18 : Lynchburg District

MORNING TRAVEL MAY BE DIFFICULT

Motorists should anticipate slick driving conditions

LYNCHBURG – Rain, sleet and snow fell overnight across most of the commonwealth. In the Lynchburg District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) snow continues this morning and into the afternoon.

Crews did not pre-treated roads with brine ahead of this storm because the weather event started as rain and the brine would wash off roads and not be effective. Currently, primary routes (those number 1-599) have isolated spots of snow or slush in the counties of Appomattox, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward, while those in Amherst, Buckingham, Campbell and Nelson counties have snow or slush on major portions of the roadways. Secondary roads and local streets are mostly snow covered.

Crews are applying salt and treating icy spots with abrasives. Motorists should anticipate possible icy conditions, especially on bridges, overpasses and ramps.

Driving conditions may be difficult and motorists may want to avoid travel in some areas this morning. If travel is necessary, drivers are encouraged to monitor road conditions using VDOT’s free 511 tools. Additional information about winter-weather preparations and response can be found on VDOT’s website at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. Local updates will be posted to VDOT’s Lynchburg District Twitter account.

Update 4:10 AM 3.21.18 – from VDOT – Staunton District – Road Conditions

“WINTER HAS LANDED ITS MOST POWERFUL PUNCH

STAUNTON – (4 a.m.) Several inches of snowfall have made driving hazardous in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands on Wednesday morning. The Virginia Department of Transportation has mobilized 900-950 pieces of snow-removal equipment in the Staunton District, but strongly urges motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.

VDOT crews are deployed on continuous 12-hour shifts throughout the district’s 11 counties. The goal is to have plows make at least one pass on every state-maintained road within 48 hours after the storm ends. Motorists who must travel during the winter storm need to buckle up, and give snow-removal operators room to safely work.

Tree-removal crews are on standby in the Staunton District to assist with roads blocked by fallen trees or limbs. Heavy wreckers are staged at several locations along Interstates 81 and 64 to quickly remove disabled vehicles and help keep travel lanes open.

Here are the road conditions as of 4:00 a.m. in the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District:

Interstate 64 – Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.

Interstate 66 – Minor conditions in Warren County.

Interstate 81 – Moderate conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta and Rockingham counties. Minor conditions in Shenandoah and Frederick counties.

Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham, Page and Clarke counties. Minor conditions in Shenandoah, Frederick and Warren counties.

Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Clarke and Warren counties. Minor conditions in Frederick County.

Road condition definitions:

Closed – Road is closed to all traffic.

Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.

Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.

Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.  Driving with caution is recommended.

Road conditions and traffic cameras can be found on the VDOT 511 website at http://www.511Virginia.org, Roads with snow conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.

The Staunton District Snow Page is on the VDOT website under Travel Center Snow Emergency Pages. The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.

Earlier posts from 3.20.18

WINTER WEATHER USHERS IN THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING

Motorists may encounter difficult driving conditions

LYNCHBURG – Rain has been falling across much of the commonwealth today) and snow and/or a rain/snow mix will begin later tonight and continue through Wednesday.

In the Lynchburg District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), rain is likely into late tonight before changing to all snow. However, forecasts should be monitored carefully as slight changes in direction or temperatures can make a difference in outcomes.

Crews have not pre-treated roads with brine ahead of this storm because the weather event has started as rain and the brine would wash off roads and not be effective.

Lynchburg District crews will work during the overnight. Plowing, with efforts concentrated on primary routes (those numbered 1-599) will begin once appropriate snow accumulations have occurred. Crews will also treat icy spots with abrasives to assist with traction. Motorists should anticipate possible icy conditions, especially on bridges, overpasses and ramps.

Motorists should get ready and monitor road conditions using VDOT’s free 511 tools. Additional information about winter-weather preparations and response can be found on VDOT’s website at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. Local updates will be posted to VDOT’s Lynchburg District Twitter account.

The Lynchburg District includes the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Nelson, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward.

FIRST DAY OF SPRING BRINGS WINTRY MIX TO CENTRAL VA.

Keep an eye on forecast through Wednesday, adjust travel accordingly

CULPEPER — March is supposed to go out like a lamb but instead the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Culpeper District is busy preparing for another late-winter storm that is forecast to bring a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow to the Central Virginia region through Wednesday evening.

Crews are on duty and will treat roads with sand and salt to aid traction and improve melting once the storm transitions from rain to winter precipitation. They will begin plowing if snow accumulates to a depth of about two inches on the road surface. Crews will first focus on interstates and primary highways before shifting to secondary routes.

VDOT encourages drivers to monitor the weather forecast. Road conditions will vary widely by location. Motorists, especially those traveling north overnight Tuesday, are advised to use VDOT’s free 511 tools to know road conditions along their routes and at their destination.

Additional information about winter-weather preparations and response can be found at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. Local updates are also posted to Twitter.com/VaDOTCulp and on the district’s snow information webpage.

VDOT’s Culpeper District includes the counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock.

FIRST DAY OF SPRING BRINGS RAIN SNOW AND SLEET TO THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

STAUNTON – (11:15 a.m.) Snow, sleet and rain continue to produce varying road conditions throughout the Shenandoah Valley as the noon hour approaches on Tuesday, March 20. Motorists should expect changing driving conditions during today’s daylight hours and deteriorating conditions tonight as heavy wet snow is forecasted for the entire region. The northern Shenandoah Valley is expected to receive the most snow.

Roads were not pretreated with brine for this storm due to the storm beginning as rain. Pavement temperatures have been well above freezing over the last several days and continue to remain above freezing in many areas today. Once the snow begins, drivers should expect icy and slushy conditions on untreated roads.  Extreme caution and extra travel time will be needed for all travel throughout the region.  All travelers are asked to use seatbelts, which can be lifesaving in many crashes.

Tree removal crews are on standby in the Staunton District to assist with roads blocked by fallen trees or limbs.

Here are the road conditions as of 11:15 a.m. in the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District:

Interstate 64 – Clear in Rockbridge and Augusta counties.

Interstate 66 – Minor conditions in Warren County.

Interstate 81 – Moderate conditions in Shenandoah and Frederick counties. Clear in Rockbridge, Augusta and Rockingham counties.

Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Shenandoah and Frederick counties. Minor conditions in Clarke and Highland counties. Clear conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge, Augusta and Rockingham counties.

Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Shenandoah, Frederick and Clarke counties. Minor conditions in Warren and Highland counties.

The Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District has crews deployed on continuous 12-hour shifts throughout the district’s 11 counties of Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties. Crews will monitor and treat roads throughout the weather event. VDOT’s goal is to have at least one pass by plows completed on all roads within 48 hours after the storm ends.

Travelers are asked to monitor local weather forecasts and to avoid driving if possible during the snow storm. VDOT crews will be out to plow and treat roads as the winter weather begins.

Road conditions and traffic cameras can be found on the VDOT 511 website at http://www.511Virginia.org, Roads with snow conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.

Road condition definitions:

Closed – Road is closed to all traffic.

Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.

Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.

Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.  Driving with caution is recommended.

For a text listing of winter weather road conditions go to http://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 https://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.