Expected winter weather event arrives on Saturday morning with wintry mix

SALEM – A winter storm producing a wintry mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet is expected in western Virginia starting in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 6 in our area. With anticipated below freezing temperatures and cold pavement, especially in the higher elevations, many roads may become snow or ice covered quickly and remain icy until temperatures rise. While bridges, ramps and overpasses may freeze first, this storm has the possibility of producing a glaze of ice over any section of roadway.

VDOT suggests that drivers plan travel around the forecasted weather event, as slick roads and rapidly changing conditions are possible, especially during early morning and daytime hours on Saturday and the possibility of refreezing Saturday evening and into Sunday morning, January 7.

VDOT crews and contractors have been in the process of pre-treating the interstates and primary routes ahead of the storm and will be monitoring and responding to road conditions beginning tonight, Friday, January 6, 24 hours a day throughout the duration of the storm.

VDOT’s first priority in any winter weather event are the interstates and primary roads (those numbered 1-599) and high-volume secondary routes. Equipment operators will be making multiple passes over these major routes and will not work on low-volume secondary roads or neighborhood streets until the precipitation stops and progress is made on the main roads.

Travelers can get real-time information on road conditions, traffic incidents and congestion on Virginia roads by using VDOT’s 511 free mobile app or the www.511Virginia.org website and phone system, which can help travelers plan their routes accordingly.

For more updates on local conditions in our area, follow us in our Facebook Community for Salem District at https://www.facebook.com/groups/VDOTSalem or on Twitter @VaDOTSalem.

The Salem District includes the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, and Roanoke.