Bad news comes in freeze – Be alert for icy roads in the Shenandoah Valley tonight

STAUNTON — (4:30 p.m.) Sunshine and slightly higher temperatures on Saturday helped Virginia Department of Transportation crews improve road conditions in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. But temperatures will drop well below freezing Saturday night, creating icy patches on many roadways.

This thaw-and-refreeze pattern is expected to continue for several days throughout the region, so motorists must continue to be very cautious. Bridges, overpasses and other elevated surfaces are especially vulnerable to freezing.

As of 4:30 p.m. Saturday, interstates and nearly all primary roads in the VDOT Staunton District are clear. Primary roads are in minor condition in Bath County, which reported the district’s highest snowfall totals Friday night. Secondary roads throughout the district are also in minor condition.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

Southern portions of Virginia received more snow Friday evening and Saturday morning. For statewide road information, check 511 Virginia at https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/. Apps for Virginia’s 511 system are also available for Android and iOS devices. 511 has traffic cameras, current crash locations, weather conditions and more. The public can sign-up for 511 alerts to be sent to their personal device.

Roads with snow and ice conditions are marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.

• 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.

VDOT is responsible for snow removal on all state-maintained roads as follows: 

• The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are VDOT’s first priority.  
• Primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) and major secondary routes (numbered 600 and up) with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow.  
• Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available. 

Another information source is the VDOT website: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov, which includes a dedicated weather travel page.

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 X (Twitter) feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. The VDOT Staunton District has a group page on Facebook. Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube. Get links to all of VDOT’s statewide and district social-media channels.