VDOT CREWS IN WINTER WEATHER RESPONSEMotorists urged to avoid travel during icy, snowy road conditions
LYNCHBURG – While most people were safe and warm in their beds, crews from the Lynchburg District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and other locations across the state dealt with the bulk of this major winter storm and snow will continue to fall in many areas throughout today. VDOT continues to urge motorists to avoid travel during icy, snowy road conditions.
Motorists are reminded that snowplow operators will work on primary routes (those numbered 1-599) until winter weather has ended and major roads are treated with a goal to have all state-maintained roadways passable with 48 hours after a storm has ended. Passable does not necessarily mean the road will be clear and with temperatures expected to be below freezing into next week, it is likely that some snow/ice will remain on surfaces.
Traffic alerts and traveler information are available at www.511Virginia.org, on VDOT’s 511 mobile app or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia. Updates are available by following the Lynchburg District on Twitter at @VaDOTLynchburg. Additional information is also available on VDOT’s webpage at www.VirginiaDOT.org.
Weather related road issues can be reported by calling 800-FOR-ROADS (800-367-7623) or by going to https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/.
The Lynchburg District includes the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Nelson, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward.
The latest winter advisories from NWS Sterling / DC.
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WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
459 PM EST FRI JAN 6 2017
VAZ025-036>039-050-055>057-507-508-070600-
/O.CON.KLWX.WW.Y.0002.170107T0600Z-170107T1800Z/
AUGUSTA-NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-ORANGE-STAFFORD-
SPOTSYLVANIA-KING GEORGE-NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-
CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-
459 PM EST FRI JAN 6 2017
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM
EST SATURDAY…
* PRECIPITATION TYPE…SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS…SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 1 TO 3 INCHES.
* TIMING…OVERNIGHT THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
* IMPACTS…SNOW ON ROADS WILL RESULT IN TRAVEL IMPACTS.
* WINDS…NORTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.
* TEMPERATURES…IN THE MID 20S.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
347 PM EST FRI JAN 6 2017
…SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL TONIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY…
…VERY COLD WIND CHILLS SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY…
.LOW PRESSURE WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE GULF COAST STATES AND THEN
MOVE NORTHEAST ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST LATER TONIGHT INTO
SATURDAY. PRECIPITATION ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF THIS SYSTEM WILL
SPREAD MEASURABLE SNOWFALL INTO THE REGION. THE GREATEST AMOUNTS
ARE EXPECTED OVER PARTS OF SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA… NORTH CENTRAL
NORTH CAROLINA….AND THE FOOTHILLS. BEHIND THIS SYSTEM…THE
COMBINATION OF STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS AND FALLING TEMPERATURES
INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS…WILL YIELD WIND CHILLS ACROSS MANY PARTS
OF THE AREA BETWEEN 5 TO 15 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.
VAZ035-047-070500-
/O.CON.KRNK.WW.Y.0002.170107T0000Z-170108T0000Z/
AMHERST-BUCKINGHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF…AMHERST
347 PM EST FRI JAN 6 2017
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS
EVENING TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY…
* LOCATIONS…AMHERST AND BUCKINGHAM COUNTIES IN VIRGINIA.
* HAZARD TYPES…SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS…2 TO 4 INCHES.
* TIMING…LATE THIS EVENING INTO SATURDAY MORNING.
* IMPACTS…SNOW COVERED AND SLICK ROADS…HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS.
* TEMPERATURES…FALLING INTO THE 20S OVERNIGHT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED
ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
347 PM EST FRI JAN 6 2017
…SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL TONIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY…
…VERY COLD WIND CHILLS SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY…
.LOW PRESSURE WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE GULF COAST STATES AND THEN
MOVE NORTHEAST ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST LATER TONIGHT INTO
SATURDAY. PRECIPITATION ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF THIS SYSTEM WILL
SPREAD MEASURABLE SNOWFALL INTO THE REGION. THE GREATEST AMOUNTS
ARE EXPECTED OVER PARTS OF SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA… NORTH CENTRAL
NORTH CAROLINA….AND THE FOOTHILLS. BEHIND THIS SYSTEM…THE
COMBINATION OF STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS AND FALLING TEMPERATURES
INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS…WILL YIELD WIND CHILLS ACROSS MANY PARTS
OF THE AREA BETWEEN 5 TO 15 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.
VAZ024-070500-
/O.EXT.KRNK.WW.Y.0002.170107T0000Z-170108T0000Z/
ROCKBRIDGE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…LEXINGTON…BUENA VISTA
347 PM EST FRI JAN 6 2017
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING
TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY…
* LOCATIONS…SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS IN VIRGINIA.
* HAZARD TYPES…SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS…2 TO 5 INCHES IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.
* TIMING…THIS EVENING INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.
* IMPACTS…SNOW COVERED AND SLICK ROADS…HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS.
* TEMPERATURES…FALLING INTO THE TEENS AND LOWER 20S TONIGHT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED
ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
Above Meteorologist David Reese at CBS-19 with the latest as of 6PM Friday.
VDOT Latest Road Prep Info:
VDOT CREWS AT THE READY
Motorists urged to avoid travel during icy, snowy road conditions
LYNCHBURG – An initial blast of snow from the storm expected to end Saturday afternoon has fallen across the Lynchburg District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). While the bulk the storm will follow, motorists are currently being urged to avoid travel during icy, snowy road conditions.
VDOT crews pre-treated the most heavily traveled roads across the Lynchburg District in anticipation of this storm. This treatment is used to weaken the bond snow/ice has on surfaces and allows highway crews additional time to work roads and structures.
Motorists are reminded that snowplow operators working 12-hour shifts will work on primary routes (those numbered 1-599) until winter weather has ended and major roads are treated. VDOT’s goal is to have all state-maintained roadways passable with 48 hours after a storm has stopped. Passable does not necessarily mean the road will be clear of all frozen precipitation and with temperatures expected to be below freezing into next week, it is likely that some snow/ice will remain on surfaces.
For traffic alerts and traveler information, visit www.511Virginia.org, VDOT’s 511 mobile app or call 511 from any phone in Virginia. Updates are available by following the Lynchburg District on Twitter at @VaDOTLynchburg. Additional information is also available on VDOT’s webpage at www.VirginiaDOT.org.
The Lynchburg District includes the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Nelson, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward.
Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Bucha : The new year brings a new name for a local kombucha company. After 7 years of branding as Barefoot Bucha it will now be known as Blue Ridge Bucha. Click on this or any photos below to enlarge.
Today Conscious Cultures, LLC, that produces the kombucha product from here in Nelson County, announced the new name.
The new name was selected by running a crowd-source naming contest that received over 500 entries. Says Ethan Zuckerman, Co-Owner of Blue Ridge Bucha, “When we started looking at all the entries coming in, we noticed a distinct pattern: one in five contest entrants suggested Blue Ridge Bucha. This really struck us, because we weren’t asking people to vote on options we presented—we were asking for original entries and a significant percentage of people were submitting the same thing. We also realized that when you search the internet for Blue Ridge Bucha we’re the first few pages of entries that come up—there is already a close association with our kombucha and the Blue Ridge Mountains where we live and brew it.”
Photo by Blue Ridge Bucha – The crew at Blue Ridge Bucha showing off the new logo on their shirts.
Adds his wife Kate, Co-Owner of the company, “We love that our community picked the name—it just feels right given our deep roots here. There were a lot of creative names submitted, but the beverage space is going through a bit of a crisis with trademark litigation right now. That’s definitely not something we want to go through twice and picking a place name gives us certain protections from that. We are also committed to a low carbon footprint, which means we only distribute to a small geographic area in and around the Blue Ridge. The more we thought about it, the more Blue Ridge Bucha became the obvious choice.”
Because so many contest entrants picked the same name, the Zuckermans literally drew a name out of a hat to determine who would receive the grand prize: a year’s supply of kombucha. The winner, who lives in Charlottesville, VA., will enjoy a growler fill each week for a year, courtesy of Barefoot Bucha and Whole Foods Charlottesville.
On Sunday, January 15th, Whole Foods Charlottesville will be hosting a party for the official launch of the new brand. It will take place from 3-5pm. There will be food, live music, and attendees will receive a new 32 oz mini growler from Blue Ridge Bucha. All are welcome.
Above, the new Blue Ridge Bucha logo that will replace the old Barefoot Bucha logo.
Blue Ridge Bucha is a family-owned small business that is known for its innovative, sustainable method of getting its product to the market. The company has set up various fountains in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., where customers can get fresh, Certified Organic kombucha on draft. Customers buy a bottle, which they then own, and can refill as many times as they want. Since 2010, kombucha drinkers have saved over half a million bottles through the company’s refillable bottle program.
Photo Courtesy of Sally Rose: 21 Year old Daniel Rasnake of Shipman, seen above in this December 2015 photo, was killed one year ago December 30, 2015 on Route 6 River Road by a hit & run driver. The state police continues asking for the public’s help in find the person responsible.Faber
Nelson County, Virginia
One year ago today we told you about the tragic death of 21 year old Daniel Rasnake. He had wrecked his car on Route 6 River Road very early that morning. He managed to get out of the car, call for help and make it up to the highway. That’s when he was hit by a passing vehicle. It is believed Rasnake was struck by a large and/or commercial vehicle. He died at the scene.
Today the Virginia State Police tell us they are still working the case.
“The investigation remains ongoing at this time. No arrests or charges to report,”
Corrine Geller the Public Relations Director for VSP told us late Friday afternoon.
Anyone with information is still asked to contact the Virginia State Police Appomattox Division at 434-352-7128 or on a cell phone at #77 or by email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS EVENING
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
945 AM EST FRI DEC 30 2016
EASTERN HIGHLAND-NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-
CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-EASTERN GRANT-EASTERN PENDLETON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…MONTEREY…BIG MEADOWS…WINTERGREEN…
PETERSBURG…BRANDYWINE…FRANKLIN…OAK FLAT…RUDDLE…
SUGAR GROVE
945 AM EST FRI DEC 30 2016
…WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS EVENING…
* TIMING…THROUGH THIS EVENING.
* WINDS…WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 50 MPH.
* IMPACTS…STRONG WINDS MAY BLOW DOWN LIMBS…TREES…AND POWER
LINES. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ARE EXPECTED.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS AROUND 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED.
WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR
HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
438 AM EST FRI DEC 30 2016
…STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS EVENING…
.MUCH COLDER AIR WILL CONTINUE TO SURGE INTO THE AREA IN THE WAKE
OF A COLD FRONT TODAY. THIS WILL COMBINE WITH AN INCREASING
PRESSURE GRADIENT TO KEEP PERIODS OF VERY STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS
GOING INTO THIS EVENING.
ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA-SMYTH-BLAND-GILES-WYTHE-PULASKI-
MONTGOMERY-GRAYSON-CARROLL-FLOYD-CRAIG-ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-ROANOKE-
BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-PATRICK-FRANKLIN-BEDFORD-AMHERST-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…WEST JEFFERSON…SPARTA…BOONE…
MARION…BLAND…PEARISBURG…WYTHEVILLE…RADFORD…PULASKI…
BLACKSBURG…INDEPENDENCE…WHITETOP…TROUTDALE…VOLNEY…
GALAX…FLOYD…NEW CASTLE…CLIFTON FORGE…COVINGTON…
HOT SPRINGS…ROANOKE…SALEM…FINCASTLE…LEXINGTON…
BUENA VISTA…STUART…ROCKY MOUNT…BEDFORD…AMHERST
438 AM EST FRI DEC 30 2016
…WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS EVENING…
* LOCATIONS…ALONG AND EITHER SIDE OF THE BLUE RIDGE.
* HAZARDS…VERY STRONG WINDS.
* WINDS…WEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH.
LOCALLY STRONGER WINDS POSSIBLE ALONG THE HIGHER RIDGETOPS.
* TIMING…INTO THIS EVENING.
* IMPACTS…STRONG WINDS COULD TOPPLE TREES AND POWER LINES.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS COULD BE BLOWN OVER.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WIND ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS ARE FORECAST TO BE
31 TO 39 MPH OR GUSTS WILL RANGE BETWEEN 46 AND 57 MPH. WINDS OF
THESE MAGNITUDES MAY CAUSE MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE WITHOUT EXTRA
PRECAUTIONS. MOTORISTS IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES SHOULD USE EXTRA
CAUTION UNTIL THE WINDS SUBSIDE.
WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST TUESDAY FOR RIDGELINES URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1151 AM EST MON DEC 26 2016
WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-WARREN-CLARKE-NORTHERN FAUQUIER-
WESTERN LOUDOUN-NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-
CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-JEFFERSON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…HAGERSTOWN…FREDERICK…
BALLENGER CREEK…FRONT ROYAL…BERRYVILLE…WARRENTON…
PURCELLVILLE…BIG MEADOWS…WINTERGREEN…CHARLES TOWN…
SHEPHERDSTOWN
1151 AM EST MON DEC 26 2016
…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST
TUESDAY FOR RIDGELINES INCLUDING THE CATOCTINS AND BLUE RIDGE…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS
ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS
EVENING TO 10 AM EST TUESDAY.
THESE STRONG WINDS TONIGHT WILL BE FOUND AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS,
INCLUDING THE CATOCTINS IN NORTH CENTRAL MARYLAND, AND THE BLUE
RIDGE AND SKYLINE DRIVE IN VIRGINIA.
* TIMING…8 PM TONIGHT UNTIL 10 AM TOMORROW…HIGHEST IN THE
EARLY MORNING HOURS.
* WINDS…SOUTHWEST WITH GUSTS 40 TO 50 MPH.
* IMPACTS…GUSTY WINDS ALONG RIDGELINES WILL BLOW AROUND
UNSECURED OBJECTS. TREE LIMBS COULD BE BLOWN DOWN AND A FEW
POWER OUTAGES MAY RESULT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR
HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. BE CAREFUL DRIVING ACROSS RIDGELINES IN
THIS AREA.
In what’s become an annual tradition here at BRL, enjoy this special radio interview from the December 2011 Christmas season as Nelson native Earl Hamner, Jr. talks with BRL Publisher Tommy Stafford and Memphis KWAM 990 Radio host, Earle Farrell. Press the orange play burron above and listen for over an hour as Earl reminisces about his career, life in the Virginia Blue Ridge and more.
Be sure to listen toward the end as Earl reads a special Christmas tribute remarking about the late Will Geer who played Grandpa Walton.
Photo By Freda Jackson : Traffic was at a standstill toward Martins Grocery in Waynesboro Saturday morning as roads were covered in ice. According to Freda this road (at the time) was closed just after 7:30 AM – Saturday – December 17, 2016
Central Virginia Blue Ridge Area & Shenandoah Valley
As Tommy mentioned in his most recent forecast, a light coating of ice fell across the area in the predawn hours Saturday morning causing a big mess on roadways across the region. At one point the Virginia State Police had 18 accidents in Augusta County alone waiting to be worked with more coming in.
Temps will warm above freezing everywhere by late morning to noon, allowing roadways to thaw.
Just plain rain and warmer temps are expected through the remainder of the weekend.
